AUTOMATIC DATA COLLECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VARIABLE FOCUS USING A DEFORMABLE MIRROR
First Claim
1. A method for reading data carriers such as machine-readable symbols using an automatic data collection device, the method comprising:
- generating a light beam;
directing the light beam to a deformable mirror;
directing the light beam from the deformable mirror to a target machine-readable symbol;
receiving light returned from the target machine-readable symbol;
evaluating the received light to provide feedback information indicative of a property associated with the light beam; and
changing a shape of the deformable mirror based on the feedback information.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic data collection device, such as a scanner-type device, is provided with a deformable mirror that operates in conjunction with a scanning mirror to scan a target machine-readable symbol using a scanning beam. The deformable mirror includes a reflective membrane having a shape that can be changed by applying electric charge to conductors, or by some other type of actuation. In this manner, the focus distance, depth of field, wavefront shape, or other property of the scanning beam can be changed dynamically. Feedback information can be provided to a focus control algorithm to control adjustment of the deformable mirror so as to optimize the scanning.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for reading data carriers such as machine-readable symbols using an automatic data collection device, the method comprising:
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generating a light beam; directing the light beam to a deformable mirror; directing the light beam from the deformable mirror to a target machine-readable symbol; receiving light returned from the target machine-readable symbol; evaluating the received light to provide feedback information indicative of a property associated with the light beam; and changing a shape of the deformable mirror based on the feedback information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An automatic data collection device to read data carriers such as machine-readable symbols, the automatic data collection device comprising:
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a light source to generate light; a deformable mirror positioned to receive the generated light and to direct the received light; a scanning mirror positioned to have the directed light incident thereon, the scanning mirror being movable to direct the incident light to a target machine-readable symbol as a scanning beam; a light detector to detect light returned from the target machine-readable symbol; and a processor coupled to the light detector to evaluate the returned light and from the returned light, to provide feedback information indicative of a property associated with the scanning beam, the processor further being coupled to the deformable mirror to control change of a shape of the deformable mirror based on the feedback information. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An automatic data collection device for reading data carriers such as machine-readable symbols, the device comprising:
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means for generating a light beam; deformable means for controlling a property associated with the generated light beam; means for directing the generated light beam to a target machine-readable symbol; means for receiving light returned from the target machine-readable symbol; means for evaluating the received light to provide feedback information indicative of the property associated with the light beam; and means for changing a shape of the deformable means based on the feedback information. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. An article of manufacture, comprising:
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a machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that are executable by a processor of an automatic data collection device to read data carriers such as machine-readable symbols, by; causing generation of a light beam that is directed to a deformable mirror; deforming the deformable mirror to control a property associated with the light beam; actuating a scanning mirror to direct the light beam to a target machine-readable symbol; evaluating light received from the target machine-readable symbol determine the property associated with the light beam; and changing a shape of the deformable mirror based on the determined property. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A method to manufacture an automatic data collection device for reading data carriers such as machine-readable symbols, the method comprising:
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producing a mirror substrate portion having a deformable silicon membrane and a reflective material overlying the deformable silicon membrane; producing an electrode substrate portion, the electrode substrate portion having a cavity to sized to accommodate deformation of the deformable silicon membrane and having at least one electrode that is offset from a center of the cavity in a manner that application of a voltage potential to the at least one electrode causes generation of force against the deformable silicon membrane to asymmetrically deform the deformable silicon membrane relative to the center of the cavity; bonding the mirror substrate portion to the electrode substrate portion to form a deformable mirror; and assembling the deformable mirror into an automatic data collection device. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification