A Guide to

Improving Productivity
Using Barcode Readers
Techniques for Stabilizing Moving
Targets for Reading Purposes

Auto-ID Division
A Guide to Tuning Moving Targets for SR-1000 Series
Models

The capacity to read barcodes and 2D codes printed

on moving workpieces is in growing demand as a way
to increase productivity on production lines.

This document is a simplified summary of what to do

in order to stabilize the codes on such moving targets
in order to read them.

While focusing primarily on the SR-1000 series, it

provides useful information applicable to all camera
based readers.

2
Procedure for Reading Moving Targets Using
SR-1000 Series Models

Determine the optimal exposure time (shutter speed) from

Step 1 the code cell size, installation distance and moving speed.

Step 2 Go into High Speed mode, specify the shutter speed, and
carry out tuning in the stationary state.

Step 3 Calculate the allowable scan count from the line speed.

In Test Mode, check the reading rate, matching level and

Step 4
tact time.

3
 Determine the optimal exposure time (shutter speed) from
Step 1 the code cell size, installation distance and moving speed.

Exposure time is too long

The brightness is high enough, but the image is too blurred to read.

Exposure time is optimal

The brightness is optimal and the image is not blurred, so it can be
read.

Exposure time is too short

The image is not blurred, but it is not bright enough to read.

In normal tuning, a long exposure time is set in order to obtain a bright enough
image, but the image can blur and become unreadable if the target is moving.

First, you need to calculate the optimal exposure time from conditions such as the
cell size, symbol size, installation distance and moving speed. Then,
carry out tuning for a moving target using that value as the upper limit.

4
 Determine the optimal exposure time (shutter speed) from
Step 1 the code cell size, installation distance and moving speed.

How to Calculate the Exposure Time: Part (1)

Use the Installation Guide in the SR setting software

AutoID Network Navigator .

Parameters needed for

calculation:
● Code type
● Cell size
● Symbol size
● Installation distance
● Moving speed

Installation
Guide is here

5
AutoID Network Navigator Installation Guide
Input Procedure

(1) Click on
Installation Guide

(2) Enter code information and

installation conditions

(5) Exposure time is calculated

Example:
(3) Click on Moving Cell size: 0.25 mm (0.01")
Moving speed: 40 ｍ (131'3")/min
Exposure time: 381 μs

If the cell size and moving speed are

known, the exposure time can be calculated.

(4) Enter moving speed

6
 Go into High Speed mode, specify the exposure time, and
Step 2 complete tuning in the stationary state.

Using the exposure time calculated earlier as a parameter, complete

tuning using AutoID Network Navigator.

(1) Select Custom Mode

(3) Change setting

from “High
(5) Finally, click the Quality” to
“High Speed” (4) Enter exposure time
Tuning button
calculated previously
(2) Click the
Tuning Settings
button

7
Step 3 Confirm the allowable scan count from the tuning results

In SR-1000 series models, approximate values for the line speed and scan
count can be calculated automatically after high-speed tuning.

When the scan count is

input, the allowable line
speed will be displayed

In order to achieve stabilized reading, we recommend an allowable scan count of 3 or higher.

If you want to prioritize speed-dependency, carry out sufficient testing at values of 2 and 1.

What is the “scan count?”

This is the value that shows how many times read processing can be carried out while the code remains in the field of view.
When this value is high, it is possible to read the code again if a read fails, making read errors less likely.

8
Reference How to Calculate the Allowable Scan Count

From the SR reader’s field of view size and the symbol size, the scannable range
From the scannable range and the line speed, the allowable scan time is calculated.
From the allowable scan time and the reading tact, the allowable scan count

Note: The “reading tact” is the reading cycle time, i.e. the time until the next workpiece arrives.

Range of SR
Formula for Scannable range

x 1000 =
calculating (mm)
reader’s field
Moving direction the scan Allowable scan time
of view
count
Line speed (mm/s) Line speed (ms)
(mm/s)
Allowable scan time
(ms)
Symbol size
(mm)
Scannable range (mm)
Reading tact
= Allowable scan count

(ms)
Field of view size (mm)

As the field of view becomes wider, the

allowable scan count increases.

How to widen the field of view

1. Increase the distance between the
SR reader and the target
workpiece.
2. Widen the image capture range
setting.

9
In Test Mode, check the reading rate, matching
level and tact time.

In Test Mode, use the tuning result to check whether stabilized reading is possible.
Because the workpiece is a moving target, stable reading needs to be performed at both edges of the
field of view, and not just in the center.
If reading cannot be performed at both edges of the field of view, the allowable scan count will
decrease.

Reading rate test Processing time test

Check that reading is stable at

both edges of the field of view
as well as the center in order to
ensure movement is allowable.

If the reading rate and tact time vary, the reader will be unable to keep pace with the line speed.
You will then need to change the installation conditions, use external lighting, change the decode
timeout period, or take other measures.

10
Techniques for Enabling the Reader to Keep Pace
With a Fast Line Speed

1 Increasing the brightness to capture a clear image in a short exposure time

Shortening the exposure time or increasing the distance will result in the capture of
darker images.
The SR reader compensates by automatically changing the gain value and digitally
brightening the image, but if the gain is raised too high then noise gets into the image
and reading is destabilized.
In this situation, a brighter and clearer image can be captured by brightening the target
workpiece.

Exposure time: 1000 μs Bright, noise-free image Exposure time: 30 μs Dark, noisy image

11
Techniques for Enabling the Reader to Keep Pace
With a Fast Line Speed

The following methods can be used to brighten the target workpiece.

(1) Using external lighting (2) Reducing the distance (3) Disabling the polarizing filter
Exposure time 400μs
Polarizing filter Disable

Exposure time 400μs

Polarizing filter Enable

By illuminating the workpiece
using external lighting, a
clearer image can be captured.
This method is useful when
the workpiece needs to be
further away from the reader,
or when reading a low-
contrast workpiece.
Halving the distance roughly
quadruples the brightness.
Moving the reader closer to the
workpiece also raises the
resolution, enabling a clearer
image to be captured.
The polarizing filter no longer
diminishes the light, so the
brightness is roughly doubled.
To prevent glare, mount the
reader at an angle of about 15
degrees, and disable the
polarizing filter before tuning.

12
Reference How to Disable the Polarizing Filter

(2) Set the polarizing

filter to “Disable”
before tuning
(1) In the list of settings,
for “Auto polarizing
filter adjustment,”
select “Disable”

To prevent glare caused by

regular reflection, the reader
should be mounted at an
angle of about 15 degrees.

13
Techniques for Enabling the Reader to Keep Pace
With a Fast Line Speed

2 Use a sensor (I/O) to start reading with a timing signal input.

Input the signal when the 2D code enters the field of view.
If the calculated allowable scan count is 1 or 2, adjust the position of the
timing sensor. It is important not to input the timing signal until the 2D
code has entirely entered the SR-1000’s field of view.

Failure
Success Initially- Next captured
captured image image
Here, the signal is input too early.
After capturing the first image, the SR-1000 spends a short
time analyzing and decoding it (in other words, finding and
reading the 2D code). While busy doing this, it cannot capture
another image.
If the initially-captured image does not contain a 2D code, the
next 2D code may pass by before the decode timeout occurs.

Here, the initially-captured image entirely contains a 2D code.

If the exposure time and brightness conditions have been optimized, the
code is decoded the first time, and reading succeeds.

If the signal cannot be timed properly as described above, use the Burst Read function.

14
Techniques for Enabling the Reader to Keep Pace
With a Fast Line Speed

3 Use Burst Read mode

In this mode, multiple consecutive images are captured first, and then
decoded. (Up to 32 images can be captured in one go.)
Because more images can be captured in a short time, the reader can track
the moving codes more successfully.

Capture (1) Decoding (1) Capture (2) Decoding (2)

Single
mode
Failure Failure

Multiple images captured first Decoding (starts simultaneously with image capture)

Burst First image Second image Third image

mode

Failure Failure Success

Burst mode is effective when the codes tend not enter the field of view at precisely the right time, due to
being misaligned, for example.
Bear in mind that the more images captured in a burst, the longer it will take to complete decoding.

15
Techniques for Enabling the Reader to Keep Pace
With a Fast Line Speed

4 Shorten the decoding time by restricting the field of view

The SR-1000 repeatedly alternates between taking photos of the target workpiece,
finding the 2D code in those photos, and decoding the code into data.
By restricting the field of view, the time taken up by decoding can be shortened,
allowing the second and third photos to be taken faster.
As a result, the scan count increases, and reading stability improves.

In scenario B, the field

A B of view is restricted.
● Field of view ● Field of view
1280 × 1024 pixels 250 × 1024 pixels

● Decoding time ● Decoding time

62 to 112 ms 23 to 27 ms

Scan
time
A Scan Decode Scan Decode Scan Decode

Over the same period, decoding

Decode B Scan Decode Scan Decode Scan Decode is carried out once in scenario A,
time and three times in scenario B.

16
Introducing Our Products

SR-1000 Series SR-750 Series SR-700 Series

Exterior

SR-750HA High-Resolution Type

SR-750 Close-Range Type SR-700HA High-Resolution Type
SR-1000 Standard Type SR-751 Middle-Range Type SR-700 Close-Range Type
Lineup SR-1000W Wide-Field Type SR-752 Long-Distance Type SR-710 Middle-Range Type
SR-75L4/ Attachment Lens
SR-75L6

Matching-level judgment function 

Code verification function 
Readable code types GS1 DataBar, CODE39, CODE39 Full ASCII, ITF, NW-7 (Codabar), CODE128, GS1-128, JAN/EAN/UPC, CODE93,
(1D) 2 of 5, COOP 2 of 5, Trioptic CODE39, PharmaCode (SR-1000/700 only)

Readable code types QR, Micro QR, DataMatrix (ECC200), GS1 DataMatrix, PDF417, MicroPDF417
(2D) Composite Code (CC-A, CC-B, CC-C)

• Built-in autofocus allows installation

at any distance up to one meter
• Polarizing filter eliminates glare and
delivers stable reading
Features • Field of view is four times wider than
in conventional products
• Status can be checked on main unit
display
• Power over Ethernet capability
• Compact body allows more leeway
allows streamlining of power
in terms of installation
cable setup
• Reading distances of over 600
• Compatible with a wide range of
communication units
mm (23.62") can be achieved
using the lens attachment

17
In Conclusion

Thank you for reading “A Guide to Improving Productivity

Using Barcode Readers: Techniques for Stabilizing Moving
Targets for Reading Purposes.”

For more information on individual products, or for a

consultation about reading barcodes or 2D codes, please do
not hesitate to contact us using the details given below.