Dual laser targeting system

• US 20060118626A1
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Psion Inc (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symagery Microsystems, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kricorissian, Gregg R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,878,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/454
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10732 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners

Abstract

A dual laser targeting system is described. At least one pair of lasers is arranged symmetrically about an objective lens in a symbology reader. The lasers project a beam along their respective axis, which, when an optical element is placed in front of the laser, produces multiple beams concentric about each laser axis. These multiple beams produce a composite pattern that appears to be symmetrical about the optical axis of the objective lens. The resulting targeting pattern includes laser beam spots that frame the field of view (FOV) of the symbology reader, and the laser beam spots on the laser axes frame the optical center of the target.

Claims

1. A laser targeting system for a symbology reader having an objective lens with an optical axis for reading a target comprising:

at least one pair of lasers positioned adjacent the objective lens, such that the objective lens is in between the lasers, for projecting beams along axes of the lasers parallel to the objective lens optical axis; and

optical elements disposed in front of corresponding lasers for producing a composite beam pattern that is symmetrical about the objective lens optical axis and adapted to encompass the target.

2. A laser targeting system of claim 1 wherein each optical element produces a beam pattern about the corresponding laser axis.

3. A laser targeting system of claim 2 wherein the optical element produced beam pattern includes a laser beam spot on the laser axis and a number of beam spots about the laser axis.

4. A laser targeting system of claim 3 wherein the optical element produced beam pattern includes a laser beam spot on the laser axis and four beam spots symmetrically positioned about the laser axis.

5. A laser targeting system of claim 1 having one pair of lasers wherein the lasers are positioned directly opposite one another on either side of the objective lens.

6. A laser targeting system of claim 5 wherein the lasers are positioned equidistant from the objective lens optical axis.

7. A laser targeting system of claim 6 wherein each optical element produces a beam pattern about the corresponding laser axis.

8. A laser targeting system of claim 7 wherein the optical element produced beam pattern includes a laser beam spot on the laser axis and a number of beam spots about the laser axis.

9. A laser targeting system of claim 7 wherein the optical element produced beam pattern includes a laser beam spot on the laser axis and four beam spots symmetrically positioned about the laser axis.

10. A laser targeting system of claim 6 wherein the lasers are positioned horizontally with respect to the objective lens.

11. A laser targeting system of claim 6 wherein the lasers are positioned vertically with respect to the objective lens.

12. A laser targeting system of claim 1 wherein the optical elements comprise prisms, diffractive optical elements or holographic optical elements

13. A laser targeting system of claim 1 comprising a housing in which the objective lens and the targeting system are mounted.

14. A laser targeting system of claim 1 comprising a housing in which the objective lens is mounted and on which the targeting system is mounted.

15. A laser targeting system of claim 1 having two pairs of lasers wherein the lasers are positioned symmetrically about the objective lens.

16. A laser targeting system of claim 15 wherein the lasers are positioned equidistant from the objective lens optical axis.

17. A laser targeting system of claim 16 wherein each optical element produces a beam pattern about the corresponding laser axis.

18. A laser targeting system of claim 17 wherein the optical element produced beam pattern includes a laser beam spot on the laser axis and a number of beam spots about the laser axis.

19. A laser targeting system of claim 17 wherein the optical element produced beam pattern includes a laser beam spot on the laser axis and four beam spots symmetrically positioned about the laser axis.