WO2009083289A1

WO2009083289A1 - Device for acquiring symbols, such as bar codes and the like, for digital photo-video units and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2009083289A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/064416
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianluca Massaccesi; Francesco Cino Matacotta; Fabio Biscarini; Massimiliano Cavallini
Original assignee: Scriba Nanotecnologie S.R.L.
Priority date: 2007-12-28
Filing date: 2008-10-24
Publication date: 2009-07-09
Also published as: ITBO20070853A1

Abstract

A device (1) for acquiring symbols, such as bar codes and the like, for digital photo-video units and the like, comprising at least one supporting body (2), which can be coupled detachably to a digital photo- video unit (A) substantially at the lens (O) and is provided with an internal cavity so as to allow the stroke of the lens (O), at least one light conveyance element being associated with the supporting body (2) and being adapted to convey the light signal emitted by a light source at a reference plane of the device (1) on at least one symbol, so as to ensure optimum lighting of the symbol at the time of image acquisition.

Description

DEVICE FOR ACQUIRING SYMBOLS, SUCH AS BAR CODES AND THE LIKE, FOR DIGITAL PHOTO-VIDEO UNITS AND THE LIKE Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for acquiring symbols, such as bar codes and the like, for digital photo-video units and the like. Background Art

As is known, symbols used to contain data bits, such as one- dimensional and two-dimensional bar codes (codes using bars and dot matrices in the various possible standards), as well as predefined graphic patterns of any type, which contain several items of information related to the product, are applied to the packages of goods and products of any kind. In particular, recently these symbols have been used widely also as regards the traceability and identifiability (also with anti-counterfeiting purposes) of products. Also in order to avoid interfering with the graphics of the packages to which they are applied, it is useful to reduce the dimensions of the symbols: in order to avoid limiting the amount of information contained therein, the dimensions of the lines and dots (the bit sequences of the symbols) that constitute them are reduced correspondingly.

However, symbols of such small size, even miniaturized ones, can be acquired by means of highly sophisticated and expensive electronic reading and decoding devices, which are of course not within the reach of ordinary consumers: therefore, such consumers cannot then utilize fully the information contained in the symbols applied to the products. Disclosure of the Invention The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, by providing a device for acquiring symbols, such as bar codes and the like, for digital photo-video units and the like, which allows the ordinaiy user to acquire rapidly such symbols for their subsequent use.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a device which, by way of its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and further competitive from an economic standpoint. This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a device for acquiring symbols, such as bar codes and the like, for digital photo-video units and the like, characterized in that it comprises at least one supporting body, which can be coupled detachably to a digital photo-video unit substantially at the lens and is affected by an internal cavity so as to allow the stroke of said lens, at least one light conveyance element that is associated with said supporting body and is adapted to convey a luminous signal emitted by a light source at a reference plane of said unit on at least one symbol, so as to ensure optimum lighting of said symbol at the time of image acquisition. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a device for acquiring symbols, such as bar codes and the like, for digital photo-video units and the like, according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention associated with a digital still camera;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to the invention, illustrating a first light guide and a second light guide;

Figure 4 is a schematic rear perspective view of the device according to the invention. Ways of carrying out the Invention

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a device for acquiring symbols, such as bar codes and the like, for digital photo-video units and the like according to the invention. The device 1 comprises at least one supporting body 2, which can be coupled to a digital photo-video unit A substantially at a lens O and is affected by an internal cavity so as to allow the stroke of the lens O; the device 1 further comprises at least one light conveyance element, which is associated with the supporting body 2 and is adapted to convey a luminous signal emitted by a light source at a reference plane of the device 1 on at least one symbol, so as to ensure optimum lighting of such symbol image acquisition.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, such conveyance element is constituted by at least one first light guide 3, which is associated with the supporting body 2 and is adapted to convey the luminous signal emitted by the flash of the unit A substantially at such reference plane, so as to ensure optimum lighting of such symbol at image acquisition time; the device 1 further comprises a second light guide 4, which is adapted to convey the luminous signal emitted by the automatic focus means of the unit A substantially at the reference plane, so as to allow correct focusing of the symbol to be acquired.

The supporting body 2 is hollow and for example can have a substantially cylindrical hollow shape, in order to allow the exit of the lens O along its entire normal stroke, and comprises, at a first end, elements 5 for coupling to a provided ring for supporting additional lenses of the unit A, and is closed, at a second end, by a first cover 6 that is affected by a central through opening.

Such reference plane is defined at the minimum focal length provided by the lens of the unit A, and in particular is defined by the outer side of the first cover 6 and/or by the outer face of a transparent flat lens 7 (when provided) that is associated with the first cover 6.

The coupling elements 5 of the supporting body 2 comprise a plurality of peripheral wings, for example three wings 5, as shown in Figure

4, that are distributed internally at the first end and are adapted to engage by interlocking, with a coupling of the bayonet type, in respective receptacles provided on the ring of the unit A.

It is noted in any case that the coupling elements 5 can be of any other type adapted to allow connection, with correct mutual positioning, of the device 1 to a corresponding unit A, and for example can also be of the screw type, of the magnetic type and of yet other types.

The unit A can be of any type, for example a digital still camera, or a TV camera, or cameras of cellular telephones, of handheld units, of portable computers and other devices, intended both for the consumer market and for industrial applications. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first light guide 3 is accommodated at least in a respective first seat 8, which is located on a first block 9, which is associated with the supporting body 2 and is closed by a corresponding second cover 10, and protrudes inside the first cover 6 in a region that is substantially proximate to the reference plane. The second light guide 4 also is accommodated at least in a respective second seat 1 1, which is located on a second block 12, which is associated with the supporting body 2 and is closed by a corresponding third cover 13, and protrudes inside the first cover 6 in a region that is substantially proximate to the reference plane. In greater detail, the first light guide 3 and the second light guide 4 are each constituted by a plurality of prism-shaped elements, which are arranged adjacently one after the other and are made of a transparent synthetic material that is adapted to confine and convey a light signal without significant losses in terms of intensity and distortions. Preferably, the first light guide 3 comprises a first prism-shaped element 3 a, which is accommodated in the first seat 8 of the first block 9, and a second prism-shaped element 3b and a third prism-shaped element 3c, which are accommodated in a provided first contoured recess 14 of the first cover 6: the first recess 14 is closed in an upper region by the second cover 10, and the second prism-like element 3b has a shape that is adapted to divert the light signal along substantially perpendicular planes. The third prism-like element 3c protrudes from the first recess 14 inside the first cover 6 in a region that is substantially proximate to the reference plane.

The second light guide 4 comprises a fourth prism-like element 4a, which is accommodated in the second seat 1 1 of the second block 12, and a fifth prism-like element 4b and a sixth prism-like element 4c, which are accommodated in a provided second contoured recess 15 of the first cover 6: the second recess 15 is closed in an upper region by the third cover 13, and the fifth prism-like element 4b has a shape that is adapted to divert the light signal along substantially perpendicular planes. The sixth prism-like element 4c protrudes from the second recess 15 within the first cover 6 in a region that is substantially proximate to the reference plane.

In greater detail, the third prism-like element 3c and the sixth prism- like element 4c comprise respective first steps 16 and second steps 17 that are adapted to abut against corresponding stops abutments (not shown in the figures), which are provided respectively in the first recess 14 and in the second recess 15. In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the first light guide 3 and the second light guide 4 can converge in a single final prism-like element that protrudes inside the first cover 6 in a region that is substantially proximate to the reference plane.

The covers 6, 10, 13 and the blocks 9, 12 can be fixed correspondingly also so as to allow mutual separation and to the body 2 by way of suitable connection means.

Alternatively, in further embodiments, the blocks 9, 12 and at least the first cover 6 can be provided monolithically with the supporting body 2; or also, the seats 8, 11 can be provided directly on the supporting body 2.

The device 1 can further comprise a framing mask (not shown in the figures), which is adapted to center the symbol to be acquired and is associated with the device 1 at the reference plane. For example, such framing mask can be constituted by a disc made of opaque material provided with a central opening whose shape is substantially complementary to the shape of the symbol to be acquired and is associated with the first cover 6.

The device 1 thus described, associated with a digital photo or video unit of any type, is adapted to acquire symbols such as barcodes, two- dimensional codes, anti-counterfeiting graphics, and the like, even of micrometric size.

Operation of the device according to the invention is as follows.

Once the device 1 has been fixed detachably to the digital photo- video unit A by way of the coupling elements 5, it is arranged with the reference plane on the symbol to be acquired; the framing of the symbol is facilitated by the framing mask (when provided).

The second light guide 4 allows to convey onto the reference plane, and therefore onto the symbol, the light signal emitted by the automatic focus means (and for example emitted by a LED of the focusing means), while the first light guide 3 allows its optimum lighting at the time of image acquisition, conveying the light signal emitted by the flash of the unit A.

The image thus acquired is then transferred to a control computer, such as for example an ordinary personal computer, which is adapted to allow the decoding of the information contained in the symbol.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since the device for acquiring symbols, such as bar codes and the like, for digital photo-video units and the like allows the ordinary user to acquire rapidly such symbols, even in miniaturized form, for subsequent use thereof. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; thus, in an alternative embodiment (not shown in the figures), such conveyor can be constituted by a contoured hole and the like, adapted to convey the diffuse light that is present in the environment. In another embodiment, the device 1 may further comprise an integrated lighting system (not shown in the figures), complete with the power supply circuit, so that it can be used also with units that are not provided with a flash, and/or in case of insufficient lighting. In yet another possible embodiment, not shown in the figures, the first light guide 3 and the second light guide 4 are each provided monolithically, and can also converge in a single common end portion, which protrudes internally in a region that is substantially proximate to the reference plane.

All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent ones.

In the exemplary embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims. The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. BO2007A000853 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A device (1) for acquiring symbols, such as bar codes and the like, for digital photo-video units and the like, characterized in that it comprises at least one supporting body (2), which can be coupled detachably to a digital photo-video unit (A) substantially at the lens (O) and is affected by an internal cavity so as to allow the stroke of said lens (O), at least one light conveyance element that is associated with said supporting body (2) and is adapted to convey a light signal emitted by a light source at a reference plane of said device (1) on at least one symbol, so as to ensure optimum lighting of said symbol at the time of image acquisition.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said conveyance device is constituted by at least one first light guide (3), which is associated with said supporting body (2) and is adapted to convey the light signal at said reference plane of said device (1) on at least one symbol, so as to ensure the optimum lighting of said symbol at the time of image acquisition.

3. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one first light guide (3), which is associated with said body (2) and is adapted to convey the light signal emitted by a flash of the unit (A) substantially at said reference plane.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one first light guide (3), which is associated with said body (2) and is adapted to convey the light signal emitted by a light source associated with said device (1).

5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one second light guide (4), which is adapted to convey the light signal emitted by the automatic focus means of the unit (A) substantially at said reference plane, so as to allow the correct focusing of the symbol to be acquired.

6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reference plane is defined substantially at the minimum focal length provided by the lens (O) of the unit (A).

7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hollow supporting body (2) comprises, at a first end, elements (5) for coupling to a provided ring for supporting additional lenses of the unit (A), and is closed at a second end by at least one first cover (6) that is provided with at least one central through opening.

8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling elements (5) comprise a plurality of peripheral wings, which are distributed internally at said first end of said supporting body (2), said wings (5) being engageable detachably by interlocking in respective receptacles provided on the ring of the unit.

9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first light guide (3) is accommodated at least in a respective first seat (8) that is located on a first block (9) that is associated with said supporting body (2), at least one second cover (10) for closing said first block (9) being provided, and protrudes internally in said first cover (6) in a region that is substantially proximate to said reference plane.

10. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second light guide (4) is accommodated at least in a respective second seat (11) located on a second block (12) associated with said supporting body (2), at least one third cover (13) being provided for closing said second block (12), and protrudes internally in said first cover (6) in a region that is substantially proximate to said reference plane.

1 1. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first light guide (3) and said second light guide (4) converge in a single common end portion, which protrudes inside the device (1) in a region that is substantially proximate to said reference plane.

12. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first light guide (3) and said second light guide (4) are each constituted by a plurality of substantially prism-like elements (3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c) that are arranged adjacently one after the other and are made of a transparent synthetic material that is adapted to confine and convey a light signal.

13. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least said blocks (9, 12) and at least said first cover (6) are provided monolithically with said supporting body (2).

14. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one framing mask, which is adapted to center the symbol to be acquired and is associated with said device (1) at said reference plane.

15. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said framing mask is constituted by a disk made of opaque material that is provided with a central opening that is substantially shaped complementarity with respect to the symbol to be acquired and is associated with said first cover (6).

16. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is adapted to acquire symbols such as barcodes, two- dimensional codes, anti-counterfeiting graphics, and the like, even of very small size.