BACKGROUND

Smartphones (and other types of portable, hand-held computing devices, such as tablet computers) are in widespread use today, most often in connection with entertainment, communications and office productivity. Most smartphones include a camera, and applications have been developed for using the camera to read barcodes. In a typical known application an image feed from the camera is displayed on the display screen of the smart phone. The user moves the smart phone with respect to the barcode until the image of the barcode is centered on the display screen and the application decodes the barcode. A problem exists in that this process is too time consuming for most non-consumer barcode reading applications. Further, the smart phone camera system and illumination system are not optimized for reading a barcode and therefore using a smart phone for barcode reading is much less efficient than utilizing a traditional barcode reader.

SUMMARY

This patent specification relates generally to improving the barcode-reading capabilities of a smartphone, a tablet computer, or any other portable, hand-held computing device that comprises a camera (hereinafter, “mobile device”). More specifically, this patent specification describes a barcode reading enhancement system for a mobile device.

The mobile device may comprise a camera, a white light source for projecting a field of illumination into a field of view of the camera, a memory and a processor for executing an operating system and applications stored in the memory.

The barcode reading enhancement system may include a barcode reading enhancement accessory secured to the mobile device and a barcode reading application stored in the memory and executable by the processor of the mobile device.

The barcode reading enhancement accessory secured to the mobile device may comprise at least one optic system. The at least one optic system: i) may be positioned within the field of illumination of the white light source for modifying the field of illumination; or ii) may be positioned within the field of view of the camera for modifying illumination reflected from objects within the field of view of the camera.

The barcode reading application may include: i) an image capture function for controlling the white light source and the camera to capture an image of a barcode, the image of the barcode being affected by the at least one optic system; ii) a decoder function for receiving the image of a barcode and generating decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode; and iii) a relay function for sending the decoded data to a remote server via a wireless connection established between the mobile device and a network.

The operating system may further include an application retrieval function. The application retrieval function may be the exclusive means for obtaining the barcode reading application and loading the barcode reading application to the memory. The application retrieval function may be configured to connect to a remote application server via a network and identify the mobile device to the application server. The application retrieval function may be further configured to control a user interface of the mobile device to enable a user of the mobile device to identify the barcode reading application for downloading from the application server, download the barcode reading application from the application server and install the barcode reading application to the memory for execution by the processor. The barcode reading application may be downloaded in a form of an install file, the install file may be written to the memory, and an executable file may be built from the install file and written to memory for execution by the processor.

The at least one optic system of the accessory may include a target-generating structure for modifying the field of illumination of the white light source to emit a targeting pattern of illumination into the field of view of the camera of the mobile device. The target-generating structure may further include an illumination filter positioned within the field of illumination of the white light source for passing a portion of the spectrum of the illumination from the white light source. As such, the targeting pattern may be of a color corresponding to the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The illumination filter may be a narrow band filter for passing a narrow band of the spectrum (such as blue) and attenuating portions of the spectrum to each side of the narrow band.

The optic system may further include a camera filter positioned within the field of view of the camera for passing a portion of the spectrum of illumination reflected from objects within the field of view of the camera. The camera filter may attenuate the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The target-generating structure may also comprise an optical component for narrowing a field of illumination of the white light source in at least one direction.

The target-generating structure may narrow the field of illumination of the white light source to a divergence angle in the at least one direction that is approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera.

Further yet, the target-generating structure may further narrow the field of illumination of the white light source in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, to a divergence angle approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera in the second direction.

The image capture function may be further configured to disable an autofocus function of the camera.

Another aspect of the present specification provides a barcode reading system for a mobile device. The mobile device may comprise a camera having a field of view to a back side of the mobile device, a white light source for projecting a field of illumination towards the back side of the mobile device, a memory, and a processor.

The barcode reading system may comprise a barcode reading enhancement accessory secured to the mobile device and a barcode reading application stored in the memory and executable by the processor of the mobile device.

The barcode reading enhancement accessory may comprise an optic system with a reflective surface for folding the field of view of the camera towards a target area positioned at a top side of the mobile device and a reflective surface for folding the field of illumination of the white light source towards the target area.

The barcode reading application may include: i) an image capture function for controlling the white light source and the camera to capture an image of a barcode in the target area; ii) a decoder function for receiving the image of the barcode and generating decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode; and iii) a relay function for sending the decoded data to a remote server via a wireless connection established between the mobile device and a network.

The optic system may include a target-generating structure for modifying the field of illumination of the white light source to emit a targeting pattern of illumination into the target area.

The optic system may further include an illumination filter positioned within the field of illumination of the white light source for passing a portion of the spectrum of the illumination from the white light source, the targeting pattern being of a color corresponding to the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The illumination filter may be a narrow band filter for passing a narrow band of the spectrum, such as blue light, and attenuating portions of the spectrum to each side of the narrow band.

The optic system may further include a camera filter positioned within the field of view of the camera for passing a portion of the spectrum of illumination reflected from objects within the target area. The camera filter may attenuate the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The target-generating structure may also comprise an optical component for narrowing a field of illumination of the white light source in at least one direction. The target-generating structure may narrow the field of illumination of the white light source to a divergence angle in the at least one direction that is approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera.

Further yet, the target-generating structure may further narrow the field of illumination of the white light source in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, to a divergence angle approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera in the second direction.

The image capture function may be further configured to disable an autofocus function of the camera.

Another aspect of the present specification comprises a method of reading a barcode utilizing a mobile device. The mobile device may comprise a camera, a white light source for projecting a field of illumination into a field of view of the camera, a memory and a processor for executing applications including an operating system stored in the memory.

The method may comprise: i) directing the operating system to obtain a barcode reading application from a remote application server and to install the barcode reading application in the memory for execution by the processor; ii) securing a barcode reading enhancement accessory to the mobile device; and iii) executing the barcode reading application by the processor.

The barcode reading enhancement accessory may comprise at least one optic system, the at least one optic system: i) being positioned within the field of illumination of the white light source for modifying the field of illumination; or ii) being positioned within the field of view of the camera for modifying illumination reflected from objects within the field of view of the camera.

Execution of the barcode reading application may comprise: i) execution of an image capture function to control the white light source and the camera to capture an image of a barcode, the image of the barcode being affected by the at least one optic system; ii) execution of a decoder function to generate decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode; and iii) execution of a relay function to send the decoded data to a remote server via a wireless connection established between the mobile device and a network.

The optic system may include a target-generating structure for modifying the field of illumination of the white light source to emit a targeting pattern of illumination into the target area.

The optic system may further include an illumination filter positioned within the field of illumination of the white light source for passing a portion of the spectrum of the illumination from the white light source, the targeting pattern being of a color corresponding to the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The illumination filter may be a narrow band filter passing a narrow band of the spectrum, such as blue light, and attenuating portions of the spectrum to each side of the narrow band.

The optic system may further include a camera filter positioned within the field of view of the camera for passing a portion of the spectrum of illumination reflected from objects within the target area. The camera filter may attenuate the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The target-generating structure may also comprise an optical component for narrowing a field of illumination of the white light source in at least one direction. The target-generating structure may narrow the field of illumination of the white light source to a divergence angle in the at least one direction that is approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera.

Further yet, the target-generating structure may further narrow the field of illumination of the white light source in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, to a divergence angle approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera in the second direction.

The image capture function may be further configured to disable an autofocus function of the camera.

Another aspect of the present specification comprises a method of reading a barcode utilizing a mobile device. The mobile device may comprise a camera having a field of view to a back side of the mobile device, a white light source for projecting a field of illumination towards the back side of the mobile device, a memory and a processor.

The method may comprise: i) directing the operating system to obtain a barcode reading application from a remote application server and to install the barcode reading application in memory for execution by the processor; ii) securing a barcode reading enhancement accessory to the mobile device, and iii) executing the barcode reading application by the processor.

The barcode reading enhancement accessory may comprise an optic system with a reflective surface for folding the field of view of the camera towards a target area positioned at a top side of the mobile device and a reflective surface for folding the field of illumination of the white light source towards the target area.

Execution of the barcode reading application may comprise: i) execution of an image capture function to control the white light source and the camera to capture an image of a barcode in the target area; ii) execution of a decoder function to generate decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode; and iii) execution of a relay function to send the decoded data to a remote server via a wireless connection established between the mobile device and a network.

The optic system may include a target-generating structure for modifying the field of illumination of the white light source to emit a targeting pattern of illumination into the target area.

The optic system may further include an illumination filter positioned within the field of illumination of the white light source for passing a portion of the spectrum of the illumination from the white light source, the targeting pattern being of a color corresponding to the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The illumination filter may be a narrow band filter for passing a narrow band of the spectrum, such as blue light, and attenuating portions of the spectrum to each side of the narrow band.

The optic system may further include a camera filter positioned within the field of view of the camera for passing a portion of the spectrum of illumination reflected from objects within the target area. The camera filter may attenuate the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The target-generating structure may also comprise an optical component for narrowing a field of illumination of the white light source in at least one direction. The target-generating structure may narrow the field of illumination of the white light source to a divergence angle in the at least one direction that is approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera.

Further yet, the target-generating structure may further narrow the field of illumination of the white light source in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, to a divergence angle approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera in the second direction.

The image capture function may be further configured to disable an autofocus function of the camera.

Another aspect of the present specification comprises a barcode reading system for a mobile device. The mobile device may comprise a camera for capturing an image of a field of view, a microphone input connector, a memory and a processor for executing applications including an operating system stored in the memory.

The barcode reading system may comprise a barcode reading enhancement accessory secured to the mobile device and a barcode reading application stored in the memory and executable by the processor.

The barcode reading enhancement accessory may comprise: i) a user-activated barcode read control; and ii) circuitry for generating a barcode read signal on the microphone input connector of the mobile device in response to user activation of the barcode read control.

The barcode reading application may include an image capture and decode function for controlling the camera to capture an image of a barcode within the field of view and generating decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode in response to the barcode reading enhancement accessory generating the barcode read signal on the microphone input connector.

The microphone input connector may be embodied, for example, in a four-contact audio jack. The four-contact audio jack may comprise a ground contact, a left speaker contact, a right speaker contact, and a microphone contact. The microphone input connector may comprise the microphone contact and the ground contact.

The barcode reading enhancement accessory may comprise a mating audio jack configured to be inserted into the four-contact audio jack of the mobile device when the barcode reading enhancement accessory is secured to the mobile device. When the mating audio jack is inserted into the four-contact audio jack, the mating audio jack comprises at least a ground contact coupled to the ground contact of the four-contact audio jack and a microphone contact coupled to the microphone contact of the four-contact audio jack. Generating the barcode read signal on the microphone input connector may comprise at least one of: i) generating a potential differential between the ground contact and the microphone contact; and/or ii) modifying a potential differential between the ground contact and the microphone contact.

The user-activated barcode read control may be a mechanical control which, when activated, moves a magnetic field with respect to a conductor to generate the potential differential between the ground contact and the microphone contact.

The barcode reading enhancement accessory may comprise a gun-shaped case for the mobile device that includes a handle extending downward from a back side of the mobile device, the back side of the mobile device being parallel to an upward-facing face side of the mobile device, the face side including a display screen.

The mechanical control may be embodied as a trigger switch positioned where the handle meets a portion of the case adjacent to the back side of the mobile device.

The mobile device camera may have a field of view to the back side of the mobile device. The barcode reading enhancement accessory may further comprise an optic system with a reflective surface for folding the field of view of the camera towards a target area positioned at the top side of the mobile device.

The mobile device may further include a white light source for projecting a field of illumination towards the back side of the mobile device and the optic system may further include a reflective surface for folding the field of illumination of the white light source towards the target area.

The optic system may include a target-generating structure for modifying the field of illumination of the white light source to emit a targeting pattern of illumination into the target area.

The optic system may further include an illumination filter positioned within the field of illumination of the white light source for passing a portion of the spectrum of the illumination from the white light source, the targeting pattern being of a color corresponding to the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The illumination filter may be a narrow band filter for passing a narrow band of the spectrum, such as blue light, and attenuating portions of the spectrum to each side of the narrow band.

The optic system may further include a camera filter positioned within the field of view of the camera for passing a portion of the spectrum of illumination reflected from objects within the target area. The camera filter may attenuate the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The target-generating structure may also comprise an optical component for narrowing a field of illumination of the white light source in at least one direction. The target-generating structure may narrow the field of illumination of the white light source to a divergence angle in the at least one direction that is approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera.

Further yet, the target-generating structure may further narrow the field of illumination of the white light source in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, to a divergence angle approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera in the second direction.

Another aspect of the present specification may comprise a method of reading a barcode utilizing a mobile device. The mobile device may comprise a camera for capturing an image of a field of view, a microphone input connector, a memory, and a processor for executing applications including an operating system stored in the memory.

The method may comprise: i) directing the operating system to obtain a barcode reading application from a remote application server and to install the barcode reading application in the memory for execution by the processor; ii) securing a barcode reading enhancement accessory to the mobile device; and iii) executing the barcode reading application by the processor.

The barcode reading enhancement accessory may comprise: i) a user-activated barcode read control; and ii) circuitry for generating a barcode read signal on the microphone input connector of the mobile device in response to user activation of the barcode read control.

Executing the barcode reading application may capture an image of a barcode within the field of view of the camera and generate decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode in response to the barcode reading enhancement accessory generating the barcode read signal on the microphone input connector.

The microphone input connector may be embodied, for example, in a four-contact audio jack. The four-contact audio jack may comprise a ground contact, a left speaker contact, a right speaker contact, and a microphone contact. The microphone input connector may comprise the microphone contact and the ground contact.

The barcode reading enhancement accessory may comprise a mating audio jack configured to be inserted into the four-contact audio jack of the mobile device when the barcode reading enhancement accessory is secured to the mobile device. When the mating audio jack is inserted into the four-contact audio jack, the mating audio jack comprises at least a ground contact coupled to the ground contact of the four-contact audio jack and a microphone contact coupled to the microphone contact of the four-contact audio jack. Generating the barcode read signal on the microphone input connector may comprise at least one of: i) generating a potential differential between the ground contact and the microphone contact; and ii) modifying a potential differential between the ground contact and the microphone contact.

The user-activated barcode read control may be a mechanical control which, when activated, moves a magnetic field with respect to a conductor to generate the potential differential between the ground contact and the microphone contact.

The accessory may comprise a gun-shaped case for the mobile device that includes a handle extending downward from a back side of the mobile device, the back side of the mobile device being parallel to an upward-facing face side of the mobile device, the face side including a display screen.

The mechanical control may be embodied as a trigger switch positioned where the handle meets a portion of the case adjacent to the back side of the mobile device.

The mobile device camera may have a field of view to the back side of the mobile device. The barcode reading enhancement accessory may further comprise an optic system with a reflective surface for folding the field of view of the camera towards a target area positioned to the top side of the mobile device.

The mobile device may further include a white light source for projecting a field of illumination towards the back side of the mobile device and the optic system may further include a reflective surface for folding the field of illumination of the white light source towards the target area.

The optic system may include a target-generating structure for modifying the field of illumination of the white light source to emit a targeting pattern of illumination into the target area.

The optic system may further include an illumination filter positioned within the field of illumination of the white light source for passing a portion of the spectrum of the illumination from the white light source, the targeting pattern being of a color corresponding to the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The illumination filter may be a narrow band filter for passing a narrow band of the spectrum, such as blue light, and attenuating portions of the spectrum to each side of the narrow band.

The optic system may further include a camera filter positioned within the field of view of the camera for passing a portion of the spectrum of illumination reflected from objects within the target area. The camera filter may attenuate the portion of the spectrum passed by the illumination filter.

The target-generating structure may also comprise an optical component for narrowing a field of illumination of the white light source in at least one direction. The target-generating structure may narrow the field of illumination of the white light source to a divergence angle in the at least one direction that is approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera.

Further yet, the target-generating structure may further narrow the field of illumination of the white light source in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, to a divergence angle approximately the same as the divergence angle of the field of view of the camera in the second direction.

