Multiple plane scanning system for data reading applications

• US 20030201326A1
• Filed: 05/06/2003
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: PSC Scanning, Inc. (Datalogic ADC Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ring, James W., McQueen, Alexander M., Eusterman, Timothy Joseph, Acosta, Jorge Louis, Bobba, Mohan LeeLaRama
• Granted Patent: US 6,974,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.14
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10574 Multiple sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10623 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10673 Parallel lines
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10693 for omnidirectional scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10772 Moved readers, e.g. pen, wand
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10871 randomly oriented data-fields, code-marks therefore, e.g. concentric circles-code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1096 the scanner having more than one scanning window, e.g. two substantially orthogonally placed scanning windows for integration into a check-out counter of a super-market

Abstract

An optical system and method for data reading. The preferred system is directed to a scanner which includes a laser diode and a beam splitter for generating first optical beam and a second optical beam, the first optical beam being directed toward one side of a scanning optical element such as a rotating polygon mirror and to a first mirror array, the second optical beam is being simultaneously directed toward a second optical element such as another side of the rotating polygon mirror and then to a second and a third mirror array. The first mirror array is configured to generate a scan pattern through a vertical window and the second and third mirror arrays are configured to generate scan patterns passing through a horizontal window. In combination, the three mirror arrays generate three sets of scan lines so as to scan the bottom and all lateral sides of an object being passed through the scan volume.

Claims

1. A scanning system for reading symbols on an object being passed through a scan volume, comprising:

a scanner housing having an upper housing section and a lower housing section;

a first window located in the upper housing section, the first window being oriented in a generally vertical plane;

a second window located in the lower housing section, the second window being oriented in a generally horizontal plane;

a light source generating a light beam;

a scanning optical element;

a first mirror array located in the upper housing portion adjacent the first window;

a second mirror array located in the lower housing portion adjacent the second window;

a third mirror array located in the lower housing portion adjacent the second window;

a beam splitter dividing the light beam into a first optical beam and a second optical beam,

first means for directing the first optical beam to a first side of the optical scanning element and to a second side of the optical scanning element, the optical scanning element scanning the first optical beam across the first mirror array;

second means for directing the second optical beam along a second optical path toward a second side of the optical scanning element, the optical scanning element scanning the second optical beam across the across the second mirror array and the third mirror array,

wherein the first mirror array is constructed and arranged to generate a first pattern of intersecting scan lines passing through the first window and into the scan volume, the second mirror array is constructed and arranged to generate a second pattern of intersecting scan lines passing through the second window and into the scan volume, and the third mirror array is constructed and arranged to generate a third pattern of intersecting scan lines passing through the second window and into the scan volume.

2. A scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the optical scanning element scans a majority of second optical beam across the second mirror array.

3. A scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the scanning system scans a bottom side and all lateral sides of an object placed in the scan volume.

4. A scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the optical scanning element is selected from the group consisting of:

a rotating optical polygon mirror, a rotating holographic disk, a first and second rotating single facet mirrors, and first and second pivoting single facet mirrors.

5. A scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the first mirror array comprises a plurality of pattern mirrors arranged in a generally semicircular configuration.

6. A scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the second mirror array comprises a plurality of pattern mirrors arranged in a generally semicircular configuration.

7. A scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the third mirror array comprises a plurality of pattern mirrors arranged in a generally semicircular configuration.

8. A scanning system according to claim 7 wherein the second mirror array and the third mirror array together form a generally circular or oval configuration.

9. A scanning system according to claim 1 further comprising a first detection system which detects a return carrier signal from the first optical beam, a second detection system which detects a return carrier signal from the second optical beam, and a processor which processes return carrier signal data from both the first and second detection systems.

10. A scanning system according to claim 1 further comprising:

the upper housing portion including an inclined housing portion positioned generally above and to one side of the scan volume;

a third window located in the upper inclined housing portion, the third window facing generally downwardly and sidewardly into the scan volume;

a fourth mirror array positioned in the upper inclined housing portion, wherein the optical scanning element scans the first optical beam across the first mirror array and the fourth mirror array,

wherein the fourth mirror array is constructed and arranged to generate a fourth pattern of intersecting scan lines passing through the third window and into the scan volume.

11. A scanning system according to claim 1 further comprising a weigh scale positioned generally along a horizontal plane coplanar with the second window.