REFLECTION CONTROL APPARATUS

摘要

A device for controlling reflections off of and information-bearing surface is especially suitable for use in conjunction with shiny, curved surfaces containing machine-readable markings. The device includes a chamber having an interior wall and entrance and exit apertures, the entrance aperture being associated with receiving an image of the surface, and the exit aperture being associated with delivering the image of the surface to image sensing means. As the delivered image of the surface may potentially include reflections of the interior wall and exit aperture, means are provided for equalizing these reflections to minimize problems associated with sensing the image of the surface and decoding any information present. The interior of the chamber is preferably uniformly illuminated to at least control the reflections associated therewith, and to equalize reflections associated with the exit aperture, a beam splitter supported and illuminated, preferrably utilizing a source of illumination and a transluscent panel supported between the source and the beam splitter. The illumination sources associated with the chamber interior and beam-splitter may be independently adjustable, and infrared radiation is preferrably used to obscure surface roughening.