Attachment for a mobile device for reading barcodes and capturing non-barcode images

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10853604-B2
Application number	US-201916422816-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 24, 2019
Priority date	Oct 4, 2012
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

An attachment for a mobile device includes an attachment feature securable to the mobile device. The attachment also includes a first set of imaging optics that receives, from within a first field of view, first light defining a first portion of image data captured by an image sensing system of the mobile device. The first portion of the image data includes a barcode image. The first field of view is centered on a first optical pathway. The attachment also includes a second set of imaging optics that receives, from within a second field of view, second light defining a second portion of the image data. The second portion of the image data includes a non-barcode image. The second field of view is centered on a second optical pathway nonparallel to the first optical pathway.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus capable of scanning barcodes and capturing non-barcode images through the use of a mobile device comprising a processor, a display screen, an image sensing system, and memory containing executable code configured to cause the image sensing system to capture image data, wherein the apparatus comprises:
a first set of imaging optics that receives, from within a first field of view, first light defining a first portion of image data captured by the image sensing system, the first portion comprising a barcode image, wherein the first field of view is centered on a first optical pathway;
a second set of imaging optics that receives, from within a second field of view, second light defining a second portion of the image data, the second portion comprising a non-barcode image, wherein the second field of view is centered on a second optical pathway nonparallel to the first optical pathway, wherein the second field of view encompasses a second angle centered on the second optical pathway, and wherein the second set of imaging optics comprises a selection from the group consisting of a movable lens that moves relative to the image sensing system to change the second angle and a deformable lens that is deformable to change the second angle;
a housing that retains the first set of imaging optics and the second set of imaging optics; and
an attachment feature secured to the housing, wherein the attachment feature is securable to the mobile device;
wherein the first set of imaging optics is positioned to direct the first light at the image sensing system of the mobile device and the second set of imaging optics is positioned to direct the second light at the image sensing system of the mobile device, wherein the mobile device is selected from the group consisting of smartphones, tablets, and combinations thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the image sensing system comprises a first image sensor and a second image sensor, wherein the first set of imaging optics directs the first light at the first image sensor and the second set of imaging optics directs the second light at the second image sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device further comprises a non-transitory storage medium on which the executable code is encoded, and wherein the executable code is configured such that the first portion of the image data is captured simultaneously with capture of the second portion of the image data.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first set of imaging optics comprises a filter positioned on the first optical pathway to restrict passage of light of undesired frequencies through the first set of imaging optics.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the filter comprises an exterior window secured to the housing such that the filter and the housing cooperate to define an interior space containing the first set of imaging optics and the second set of imaging optics.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device further comprises a non-transitory storage medium on which the executable code is encoded, wherein the executable code comprises an application that can be executed by the processor to capture the non-barcode image, and wherein the application is configured to store the non-barcode image in the memory in response to receipt of a first user input selected from the group consisting of initiation of the application and selection of a setting within the application.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a first illumination system comprising at least one of a targeting illumination system that projects targeting illumination proximate the first field of view prior to capture of the image data to indicate proper positioning of a barcode within the first field of view, and an image capture illumination system that projects image capture illumination into the first field of view during capture of the image data to illuminate a barcode within the first field of view, wherein the application is configured, in response to receipt of the first user input, to capture the non-barcode image without activating the first illumination system.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device further comprises a non-transitory storage medium on which the executable code is encoded, wherein the executable code comprises an application that can be executed by the processor to capture the barcode image, and wherein the application is configured to initiate decoding of the barcode image in response to receipt of a first user input selected from the group consisting of initiation of the application and selection of a setting within the application.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a first illumination system comprising at least one of a targeting illumination system that projects targeting illumination proximate the first field of view prior to capture of the image data to indicate proper positioning of a barcode within the first field of view, and an image capture illumination system that projects image capture illumination into the first field of view during capture of the image data to illuminate a barcode within the first field of view, wherein the application is configured, in response to receipt of the first user input, to activate the first illumination system and capture the barcode image.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the application is further configured to discard the barcode image in response to receipt of one of: a second user input cancelling decoding of the barcode, or a confirmation that the barcode image was successfully decoded.

11. An attachment for a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a processor, a display screen, an image sensing system, and memory, the memory containing executable code configured to cause the image sensing system to capture image data, the attachment comprising:
an attachment feature securable to the mobile device, wherein the mobile device is selected from the group consisting of smartphones, tablets, and smartphone/tablets;
a first set of imaging optics that receives, from within a first field of view, first light defining a first portion of image data captured by the image sensing system, the first portion comprising a barcode image, wherein the first field of view is centered on a first optical pathway; and
a second set of imaging optics that receives, from within a second field of view, second light defining a second portion of the image data, the second portion of the image data comprising a non-barcode image, wherein the second field of view is centered on a second optical pathway nonparallel to the first optical pathway.

12. The attachment of claim 11 , wherein the mobile device further comprises a non-transitory storage medium on which the executable code is encoded, wherein the image sensing system comprises an image sensor, wherein the first set of imaging optics directs the first light at the image sensor and the second set of imaging optics directs the second light at the image sensor, wherein the image sensor comprises a first portion that receives the first light and a second portion that receives the second light, wherein the executable code is configured such that the image data define a composite image comprising a first image portion comprising the barcode image, and a second image portion comprising the non-barcode image.

13. The attachment of claim 11 , wherein, when the attachment feature is secured to the mobile device, the first optical pathway extends parallel to the display screen of the mobile device and the second optical pathway extends orthogonal to the first optical pathway.

14. The atta

Assignees

• Code Corp

Inventors

• Russell Garrett
• Hoobler Ryan
• Lei Ming
• Powell George
• Ashby Mark

Classifications

• H02J7/751

  concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries · CPC title

• A45C11/002

  for storing portable handheld communication devices, e.g. pagers or smart phones · CPC title

• A45C11/00

  Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 (specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48) · CPC title

• G06K7/0004

  Hybrid readers · CPC title

• G06K7/10831 Primary

  Arrangement of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors, prisms (optical elements per se G02B) · CPC title