System for capturing a coded image
An aimer module for a mobile device and method of use can assist in capturing a barcode image. The aimer module can receive light from a lamp of the mobile device and generate a light pattern on the surface containing a barcode, including through the use of a grating, a configuration of mirrors, light pipes, or other methods for bending or controlling the lamp source of the mobile device. Registration of the light pattern and the barcode in or near the scan area can enable a camera of the mobile device to capture and decode the barcode.
1. An aimer module for a mobile device, the aimer module comprising:
a means for receiving light from a lamp of the mobile device and generating a light pattern on a surface containing a barcode;
wherein registration of the light pattern and the barcode in a scan area precedes capture of a barcode image by the mobile device and enhances the ability of the mobile device to capture the barcode image; and
wherein the registration is for at least one of:
blind mode scanning, the registration occurring on a detection of the light pattern and the barcode in a viewing angle of a camera of the mobile device; and
targeted mode scanning, the registration occurring on a detection of the light pattern hovering over the barcode in a viewing angle of a camera of the mobile device.
2. The aimer module of claim 1 , wherein registration is selectively executed for blind mode scanning and for targeted mode scanning.
3. The aimer module, as in claim 1 , further comprising a software on either the mobile device or remotely operational with the mobile device, the software configured to decode, read, display, or store the barcode information.
4. The aimer module, as in claim 1 , wherein the means for receiving and generating a light pattern is a grating.
5. The aimer module, as in claim 4 , further comprising an optical element for receiving light from the lamp and providing the light to the grating.
6. The aimer module, as in claim 5 , wherein the optical element comprises at least one of a lens, a reflective surface, a light pipe, and an optical fiber.
7. The aimer module, as in claim 4 , further comprising a collector configured for collecting light incident upon the camera.
8. The aimer module, as in claim 4 , wherein the grating comprises at least one of a pair of substantially parallel slits, a substantially rectangular array of holes, a large hole, a circle, a dot, an array of dots, cross-hairs, an inscribed square with perimeter, an icon, or lettering.
9. The aimer module, as in claim 4 , configured as one of a simple offset aimer, a basic aimer, an elongated offset aimer, a standard offset aimer, a tube offset aimer, and a fitted aimer.
10. The aimer module, as in claim 1 , wherein the means for receiving and generating a light pattern is a configuration of at least one mirror.
11. The aimer module, as in claim 1 , configured to offset light from the lamp away from the camera.
12. The aimer module, as in claim 11 , wherein the offset is configured to extend an optical range for reading the barcode.
13. The aimer module, as in claim 12 , wherein the offset of the light from the lamp is determined by decoding software to optimize the decoding of the barcode.
14. A mobile device configured for scanning of a barcode, the mobile device comprising:
an aimer module, comprising a grating configured to receive light from a lamp of the mobile device and to generate a light pattern on a surface containing a barcode;
wherein the mobile device is configured to automatically capture a barcode image based on registration of the light pattern and the barcode in a scan area, with the registration enhancing the ability of the mobile device to read the barcode; and
wherein the mobile device is configured to operate in at least one of:
blind mode scanning, under which the registration occurs on a detection of the light pattern and the barcode in a viewing angle of a camera of the mobile device; and
targeted mode scanning, under which the registration occurs on a detection of the light pattern hovering over the barcode in a viewing angle of a camera of the mobile device.
15. The mobile device, as in claim 14 , wherein the aimer module is integrated with the mobile device.
16. The mobile device, as in claim 14 , wherein the aimer module is affixed to the mobile device.
17. The mobile device of claim 14 , wherein registration is selectively executed for blind mode scanning and for targeted mode scanning.
18. The mobile device, as in claim 14 , wherein the mobile device comprises one of a smartphone, a tablet, an electronic pad, a laptop computer, or other mobile device.
19. The mobile device, as in claim 14 , wherein the at least one of the blind mode scanning and the targeted mode scanning enables reliable readout of the barcode without use of a display.
20. The mobile device, as in claim 14 , wherein the mobile device comprises a computer program product comprising machine executable instructions stored on non-transitory machine readable media, the instructions configured for performing the at least one of the blind mode scanning and the targeted mode scanning of a barcode.
21. The mobile device, as in claim 20 , wherein the aimer module provides a first aimer module and wherein the computer program product further comprises instructions to account for changing of the first aimer module to a second aimer module.
22. The mobile device, as in claim 20 , wherein the computer program product further comprises instructions to initiate an action upon readout of the barcode.