US20020074409A1 - Instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus - Google Patents
Instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US20020074409A1 US20020074409A1 US09/736,262 US73626200A US2002074409A1 US 20020074409 A1 US20020074409 A1 US 20020074409A1 US 73626200 A US73626200 A US 73626200A US 2002074409 A1 US2002074409 A1 US 2002074409A1
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- gain control
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- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 16
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 74
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 74
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000005669 field effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005562 fading Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001795 light effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03G—CONTROL OF AMPLIFICATION
- H03G3/00—Gain control in amplifiers or frequency changers
- H03G3/20—Automatic control
- H03G3/30—Automatic control in amplifiers having semiconductor devices
- H03G3/3084—Automatic control in amplifiers having semiconductor devices in receivers or transmitters for electromagnetic waves other than radiowaves, e.g. lightwaves
Definitions
- This invention relates to an instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus and particularly an automatic gain control apparatus for barcode reading devices.
- AGC automatic gain control
- the instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus includes a sensor unit, a current amplification unit, a first stage amplification unit, a buffer stage amplification unit, a signal pickup amplification unit, a second stage amplification unit, a third stage amplification unit, a signal output amplification unit, a signal isolation match unit, and a signal rectification unit.
- the apparatus of this invention may process the signal and gain control synchronously and transmits desired digital signals to a microprocessor (CPU) or decoder circuit for process.
- CPU microprocessor
- FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of this invention.
- the apparatus of this invention aims at meeting the requirements of barcode reading devices.
- CCD Charge Coupled Device
- the CCD transmits the signal to an amplification rectification circuit for process.
- the processed signal is transmitted to a decoder for decoding.
- laser type in which a scanning means scan light spot on the barcode to form one or more scanning lines. Every light spot generates a reflection light which is picked up by a sensor element and transmitted to an amplification rectification circuit for process.
- the apparatus includes a sensor unit 1 , a current amplification unit 2 , a first stage amplification unit 3 , a buffer stage amplification unit 4 , a signal pickup amplification unit 5 , a second stage amplification unit 6 , a third stage amplification unit 7 , a signal output amplification unit 8 , a signal isolation match unit 9 , and a signal rectification unit 10 .
- the sensor unit 1 receives the reflecting barcode image light generated by projecting a light source from the barcode reading device to a barcode attached to an object. Then the received image light is processed to equip with desired electrical characteristics for output.
- the current amplification unit 2 is used to amplify the signal output by the sensor unit 1 .
- the first stage amplification unit 3 amplifies the voltage of the signal output by the current amplification unit 2 .
- the buffer stage amplification unit 4 controls the signal and gain control for synchronous process.
- the signal pickup amplification unit 5 receives the amplified signal come from the first stage amplification unit 3 to make output variation value match the variation curve of the gain adjustment element for reaching the desired AGC variation value needed for the product.
- the second stage amplification unit 6 includes a gain adjustment unit 61 which has equivalent characteristics of a controllable resistance and may use resistance variation to adjust the amplified gain value of the second stage amplification unit 6 , as a result to achieve the AGC function.
- the gain adjustment unit 61 may be, but not limit to, a Junction type Field Effect Transistor (J-FET), Unijunction Transistor (UJT), Compatible Duplex System (CDS), transistor, or the like.
- the third stage amplification unit 7 amplifies the signal output by the second stage amplification unit 6 to reach desired level and amplitude suitable for the signal output amplification unit 8 .
- the signal output amplification unit 8 amplifies the signal output by the third stage amplification unit 7 to a desired digital signal level.
- the signal isolation match unit 9 may be a J-FET for isolating the signal output amplification unit 8 and signal rectification unit 10 for preventing two loop signals from interfering with each other.
- the signal rectification unit 10 may be, but not limit to, a rectification logic element such as an Inverter or Buffer for rectifying the digital signals amplified by aforesaid signal output amplification unit and to form waves with better high and low rim.
- the sensor unit 1 senses the reflection light of the barcode image and output a signal.
- the signal is transmitted to the current amplification unit 2 for current amplification.
- the small signal output by the current amplification unit 2 goes to the first stage amplification unit 3 for voltage amplification to become stronger and more suitable for control signal use.
- the resulted signal goes to the signal pickup amplification unit 5 which makes variation of the output match with the variation curve of the gain adjustment unit 61 for getting the desired AGC variation value to meet product requirement.
- the gain adjustment unit 61 uses resistance variance to adjust the amplified gain value of the second stage amplification unit 6 for achieving the automatic gain control (AGC) function.
- AGC automatic gain control
- the buffer stage amplification unit 4 is disposed between the first stage amplification unit 3 and the second stage amplification unit 6 . This is because every amplification unit will create delay. For attaining synchronization conditions for the signal and gain control, a buffer stage amplification unit 4 should be added for working with the signal pickup amplification unit 5 . After going through automatic gain amplification of the second stage amplification unit 6 , the amplified signal is output to the third stage amplification unit 7 for making the level and amplitude of the signal suitable for the output amplification unit 8 . At this point, the signal output by the output amplification unit 8 has reached digital signal level.
- linear amplification unit and digital unit are two types of electronic loop which have different electrical characteristics, ideally, they should be independent from each other.
- the signal isolation match unit 9 is disposed between the output amplification unit 8 and signal rectification unit 10 to prevent the two different loops from interfering with each other.
- ideal digital signal needs better high and low rim, therefore before the signal is being transmitted to the decoder, it will be sent to a logic element such as an inverter or buffer for rectification. Then the signal is transmitted to the CPU or decoder for process to obtain the desired scanning results.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Control Of Amplification And Gain Control (AREA)
Abstract
An instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus for barcode reading device includes a sensor unit, a current amplification unit, a first stage amplification unit, a buffer stage amplification unit, a signal pickup amplification unit, a second stage amplification unit, a third stage amplification unit, a signal output amplification unit, a signal isolation match unit, and a signal rectification unit. When the barcode reading device receives a weak signal, the apparatus will process the signal and gain control synchronously and transmits desired digital signals to a microprocessor (CPU) or decoder circuit for process.
Description
- This invention relates to an instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus and particularly an automatic gain control apparatus for barcode reading devices.
- The design of automatic gain control (AGC) circuits used in conventional barcode reading devices mostly employs the feedback control gain type. When detecting output signal power is not adequate, it uses a feedback method to amplify the gain of the preceding stage for boosting the following signal. This method uses average value to control gain value and does not have synchronization problem. It is easier to control and especially suitable for the environments where maintaining signal amplitude variation proportion is desired. However if the requirements are to get frequency without influencing by the circuit and to get output signals with same level, the design set forth cannot meet all the needs. Because for reaching the condition of every output has same phase, every signal has to make synchronous gain adjustment. Using the feedback approach to adjust amplification gain, when the gain is adjusted for a preceding stage based on the detected signal, the signal has already passed the amplifier. Hence the produced result of the changing gain affects only the next set of signals. If the average value is not used, it could happen that the next signal might be too strong and result in over saturation or signal distortion. As aforesaid AGC design cannot perform instant synchronous control for adjusting gain, it cannot rectify amplification gain for every signal individually. By taking the average value, it is not an instant synchronous amplification gain adjustment.
- It is therefore an object of this invention to resolve aforesaid disadvantages by providing an instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus that is capable of performing instant signal and gain control process synchronously when the signal received by the barcode reading device is weak.
- The instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus according to this invention includes a sensor unit, a current amplification unit, a first stage amplification unit, a buffer stage amplification unit, a signal pickup amplification unit, a second stage amplification unit, a third stage amplification unit, a signal output amplification unit, a signal isolation match unit, and a signal rectification unit. When the barcode reading device receives a weak signal, the apparatus of this invention may process the signal and gain control synchronously and transmits desired digital signals to a microprocessor (CPU) or decoder circuit for process.
- The invention, as well as its many advantages, may be further understood by the following detailed description and drawing, in which:
- FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of this invention.
- Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus of this invention aims at meeting the requirements of barcode reading devices. There are two prevailing methods of reading signals being adapted for barcode reading devices at present. One is CCD type which uses Charge Coupled Device (CCD) in which light is projected on the barcode and generates a reflection light of different intensity passing through a lens and directing to the CCD. The CCD transmits the signal to an amplification rectification circuit for process. Then the processed signal is transmitted to a decoder for decoding. Another one is laser type in which a scanning means scan light spot on the barcode to form one or more scanning lines. Every light spot generates a reflection light which is picked up by a sensor element and transmitted to an amplification rectification circuit for process. Regardless which method is used, there is always a problem of signals fading at two sides because of the problems relate to the incident angle and reflection angle of projection light and reflection light. In addition, because of the background light effect, it is more difficult to produce the results desired on the amplification circuit. Furthermore, when the object is located at a greater distance away, the receiving signal becomes weaker. Hence when the signal is within the pick up range, but the signal is fading due to factors such as distance, the automatic gain control becomes useful. However, when the signal intensity becomes not even resulting from the incident light angle and reflection light angle problem, the instant synchronous automatic gain control scheme of this invention is better than the feedback automatic gain control method.
- In order to explain in details for the structure and function of the instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus of this invention, the signal pickup process used for the laser type barcode scanner is given as an example below. The apparatus includes a
sensor unit 1, acurrent amplification unit 2, a firststage amplification unit 3, a bufferstage amplification unit 4, a signalpickup amplification unit 5, a secondstage amplification unit 6, a thirdstage amplification unit 7, a signaloutput amplification unit 8, a signalisolation match unit 9, and asignal rectification unit 10. Thesensor unit 1 receives the reflecting barcode image light generated by projecting a light source from the barcode reading device to a barcode attached to an object. Then the received image light is processed to equip with desired electrical characteristics for output. - The
current amplification unit 2 is used to amplify the signal output by thesensor unit 1. - The first
stage amplification unit 3 amplifies the voltage of the signal output by thecurrent amplification unit 2. - The buffer
stage amplification unit 4 controls the signal and gain control for synchronous process. - The signal
pickup amplification unit 5 receives the amplified signal come from the firststage amplification unit 3 to make output variation value match the variation curve of the gain adjustment element for reaching the desired AGC variation value needed for the product. - The second
stage amplification unit 6 includes again adjustment unit 61 which has equivalent characteristics of a controllable resistance and may use resistance variation to adjust the amplified gain value of the secondstage amplification unit 6, as a result to achieve the AGC function. Thegain adjustment unit 61 may be, but not limit to, a Junction type Field Effect Transistor (J-FET), Unijunction Transistor (UJT), Compatible Duplex System (CDS), transistor, or the like. - The third
stage amplification unit 7 amplifies the signal output by the secondstage amplification unit 6 to reach desired level and amplitude suitable for the signaloutput amplification unit 8. - The signal
output amplification unit 8 amplifies the signal output by the thirdstage amplification unit 7 to a desired digital signal level. - The signal
isolation match unit 9 may be a J-FET for isolating the signaloutput amplification unit 8 andsignal rectification unit 10 for preventing two loop signals from interfering with each other. Thesignal rectification unit 10 may be, but not limit to, a rectification logic element such as an Inverter or Buffer for rectifying the digital signals amplified by aforesaid signal output amplification unit and to form waves with better high and low rim. - When this invention is in use, the
sensor unit 1 senses the reflection light of the barcode image and output a signal. The signal is transmitted to thecurrent amplification unit 2 for current amplification. The small signal output by thecurrent amplification unit 2 goes to the firststage amplification unit 3 for voltage amplification to become stronger and more suitable for control signal use. Then the resulted signal goes to the signalpickup amplification unit 5 which makes variation of the output match with the variation curve of thegain adjustment unit 61 for getting the desired AGC variation value to meet product requirement. Thegain adjustment unit 61 uses resistance variance to adjust the amplified gain value of the secondstage amplification unit 6 for achieving the automatic gain control (AGC) function. - The buffer
stage amplification unit 4 is disposed between the firststage amplification unit 3 and the secondstage amplification unit 6. This is because every amplification unit will create delay. For attaining synchronization conditions for the signal and gain control, a bufferstage amplification unit 4 should be added for working with the signalpickup amplification unit 5. After going through automatic gain amplification of the secondstage amplification unit 6, the amplified signal is output to the thirdstage amplification unit 7 for making the level and amplitude of the signal suitable for theoutput amplification unit 8. At this point, the signal output by theoutput amplification unit 8 has reached digital signal level. However because linear amplification unit and digital unit are two types of electronic loop which have different electrical characteristics, ideally, they should be independent from each other. Hence the signalisolation match unit 9 is disposed between theoutput amplification unit 8 andsignal rectification unit 10 to prevent the two different loops from interfering with each other. Furthermore, ideal digital signal needs better high and low rim, therefore before the signal is being transmitted to the decoder, it will be sent to a logic element such as an inverter or buffer for rectification. Then the signal is transmitted to the CPU or decoder for process to obtain the desired scanning results. - It may thus be seen that the objects of the present invention set forth herein, as well as those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth for purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (4)
1. An instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus for barcode reading device, comprising:
a sensor unit for receiving reflection light of barcode image resulting from projecting a light source on a barcode of an object by the barcode reading device and generating a first output signal;
a current amplification unit for amplifying the first output signal and generating a second output signal;
a first stage amplification unit for amplifying the voltage of the second output signal;
a buffer stage amplification unit to control the signal and gain control for synchronous process,
a signal pickup amplification unit for receiving the amplified signal from the first stage amplification unit to make output variation value thereof matching the variation curve of a gain adjustment unit for achieving desired automatic gain control;
a second stage amplification unit including the gain adjustment unit which has equivalent characteristics of a controllable resistance and uses resistance variance to adjust the amplified gain value of the second stage amplification unit for achieving desired automatic gain control;
a third stage amplification unit for amplifying signal output by the second stage amplification unit for getting desired level and amplitude and output a third signal;
a signal output amplification unit for amplifying the third signal to a desired digital signal level;
a signal rectification unit for rectifying the digital signals amplified by the signal output amplification unit to have better up and low rim wave forms for transmitting to a microprocessor or decoder to process; and
a signal isolation match unit for isolating the signal output amplification unit and signal rectification unit for preventing the signals of the two loops thereof from interfering with each other.
2. The instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gain adjustment unit is selected from the group consisting of a Junction type Field Effect Transistor (J-FET), Unijunction Transistor (UJT), Compatible Duplex System (CDS), or transistor.
3. The instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the signal isolation match unit is a Junction type Field Effect Transistor (J-FET).
4. The instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the signal rectification unit is a logic unit of inverter or buffer.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/736,262 US6439460B1 (en) | 2000-12-15 | 2000-12-15 | Instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus |
DE20021701U DE20021701U1 (en) | 2000-12-15 | 2000-12-22 | Device for immediate synchronous automatic gain control |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/736,262 US6439460B1 (en) | 2000-12-15 | 2000-12-15 | Instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus |
DE20021701U DE20021701U1 (en) | 2000-12-15 | 2000-12-22 | Device for immediate synchronous automatic gain control |
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US20020074409A1 true US20020074409A1 (en) | 2002-06-20 |
US6439460B1 US6439460B1 (en) | 2002-08-27 |
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US09/736,262 Expired - Fee Related US6439460B1 (en) | 2000-12-15 | 2000-12-15 | Instant synchronous automatic gain control apparatus |
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DE (1) | DE20021701U1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110119015A1 (en) * | 2008-07-25 | 2011-05-19 | Kisei Hirobe | Geomagnetic sensor control device |
WO2020103805A1 (en) * | 2018-11-19 | 2020-05-28 | Suteng Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. | Lidar signal receiving circuits, lidar signal gain control methods, and lidars using the same |
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US20030120484A1 (en) * | 2001-06-12 | 2003-06-26 | David Wong | Method and system for generating colored comfort noise in the absence of silence insertion description packets |
US6889701B2 (en) * | 2003-02-24 | 2005-05-10 | Alert Stamping & Mfg Co, Inc | Air hose reel |
US20060138237A1 (en) * | 2004-12-29 | 2006-06-29 | Nokia Corporation | System and method for improved statistical bar code reading for electronic devices having a camera |
CN101828128B (en) * | 2007-09-28 | 2013-06-05 | 天宝3D扫描公司 | Distance measuring instrument and method |
EP2182379B1 (en) * | 2008-10-30 | 2012-09-19 | Sick Ag | Laser scanner to measure distance |
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US4219152A (en) * | 1979-02-21 | 1980-08-26 | International Business Machines Corporation | Dual threshold comparator circuit |
US4682015A (en) * | 1985-03-07 | 1987-07-21 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Low powered high ambient light bar code reader circuit |
DE3601083A1 (en) * | 1986-01-16 | 1987-07-23 | Krieg Gunther | Method and system for reading barcodes |
JPH07101429B2 (en) * | 1989-05-30 | 1995-11-01 | 富士通株式会社 | Barcode reader analog signal processing method |
US5783813A (en) * | 1989-06-16 | 1998-07-21 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Limited working range scanner having focused light beam waist situated within scanner housing |
US5168148A (en) * | 1990-12-28 | 1992-12-01 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Automatic gain control circuit |
US5612529A (en) * | 1994-10-31 | 1997-03-18 | Psc Inc. | System for bar code reading and scanning with automatic gain control |
-
2000
- 2000-12-15 US US09/736,262 patent/US6439460B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-12-22 DE DE20021701U patent/DE20021701U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110119015A1 (en) * | 2008-07-25 | 2011-05-19 | Kisei Hirobe | Geomagnetic sensor control device |
WO2020103805A1 (en) * | 2018-11-19 | 2020-05-28 | Suteng Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. | Lidar signal receiving circuits, lidar signal gain control methods, and lidars using the same |
US11703590B2 (en) | 2018-11-19 | 2023-07-18 | Suteng Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. | Lidar signal receiving circuits, lidar signal gain control methods, and lidars using the same |
US12092736B2 (en) | 2018-11-19 | 2024-09-17 | Suteng Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. | Lidar signal receiving circuits, lidar signal gain control methods, and lidars using the same |
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DE20021701U1 (en) | 2001-03-22 |
US6439460B1 (en) | 2002-08-27 |
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Effective date: 20060827 |