Code reader

• US 20040046030A1
• Filed: 05/30/2003
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aishin Engineering Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aishin Engineering Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Okada, Tohru, Kawashima, Toshiharu
• Application Number:
  US10/447,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046030A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10702 Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors G06K7/10831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10732 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10742 including a diffuser for diffusing the light from the light source to create substantially uniform illumination of the target record carrier

Abstract

A code reader includes a housing, a reading portion, provided on the housing, for reading a code provided on an object; a device, provided in the housing, for illuminating the code a device, provided in the housing, for capturing an image of the code; the device for illuminating the code irradiating a light to the code for reading information of the code by a light reflected from the code; and a light transmission member, provided between the device for capturing the image and the reading portion, for introducing the light generated by the device for illuminating the code.

Claims

1. A code reader comprising:

a housing;

a reading portion, provided at the housing, for reading a code provided on an object;

means, provided at the housing, for illuminating the code;

means, provided at the housing, for capturing an image of the code, wherein the means for illuminating the code may irradiate a light onto the code for reading information of the code by light reflected from the code; and

a light transmission means, provided between the means for capturing the image and the reading portion, for introducing the light generated by the means for illuminating.

2. The code reader according to claim 1, wherein the light transmission means includes a curved lens portion.

3. The code reader according to claim 2, wherein the lens portion is formed on both ends of the light transmission means, thereby causing the light from the means for illuminating to cross a light axis of the means for capturing the image.

4. The code reader according to claim 1, wherein the light transmission means includes a reflection surface for diffusing the light generated by the means for illuminating the code by reflecting light to the inside of the light transmission member.

5. The code reader according to claim 2, wherein the lens portion enlarges the image of the code by refraction of the light.

6. The code reader according to claim 1, wherein the light transmission means includes a light reflection membrane configured to prevent leakage of the light to an area other than a surface of the code opposite the reading portion and the means for capturing the image.

7. The code reader according to claim 1, wherein the light transmission means comprises at least one of transparent glass and resin.

8. The code reader according to claim 7, wherein the light transmission means includes a liquid portion.

9. The code reader according to claim 1, wherein the light from the means for illuminating the code includes colored light crossing a focal point of the means for capturing the image.

10. A code reader, comprising:

a housing;

a reading portion, provided at the housing, for reading a code provided on an object;

a light source provided at the housing and configured to illuminate the code;

a CCD camera provided at the housing for capturing an image of the code, wherein the light source is configured to irradiate a light onto the code for reading information of the code by light reflected from the code; and

a light transmission member provided between the CCD camera and the reading portion for introducing the light generated by the light source.

11. The code reader according to claim 10, wherein the light transmission member includes a curved lens portion.

12. The code reader according to claim 11, wherein the lens portion is formed on both ends of the light transmission member, thereby causing the light from the light source to cross toward a light axis of the CCD camera.

13. The code reader according to claim 10, wherein the light transmission member includes a reflection surface for diffusing the light generated by the light source.

14. The code reader according to claim 10, wherein the light transmission member enlarges the image of the code by refraction of the light.

15. The code reader according to claim 10, wherein the light transmission member includes a light reflection membrane configured to prevent leakage of the light to an area other than a surface of the code opposite the reading portion and the CCD camera.

16. The code reader according to claim 10, wherein the light transmission comprises at least one of transparent glass and resin.

17. The code reader according to claim 16, wherein the light transmission member includes a liquid portion.

18. The code reader according to claim 10, wherein the light from the light source includes colored light configured to cross a focal point of the CCD camera.

19. A method for reading a code, comprising:

reading the code using a code reader, the code reader comprising;

a housing;

a reading portion, provided at the housing, for reading a code provided on an object;

a light source provided at the housing and configured to illuminate the code;

a CCD camera provided at the housing for capturing an image of the code, wherein the light source is configured to irradiate a light onto the code for reading information of the code by light reflected from the code; and

a light transmission member provided between the CCD camera and the reading portion for introducing the light generated by the light source.