Optical bar code reader
First Claim
1. Apparatus for optically reading coded information on goods regardless of the orientation of the coded information, comprising:
- a light source for emitting a light beam;
a transparent reading area over which goods carrying coded information pass;
a plurality of fixed rectangular mirrors having their longitudinal axes disposed approximately on an imaginary circumference;
a rotary mirror having a single reflecting plane disposed at the center of said imaginary circumference for directing the light beam from said source to said plurality of fixed mirrors, the angles of said rotary and fixed mirrors being arranged such that the light beam reflected from said rotary and fixed mirrors is directed to said transparent reading area to form a plurality of scanning traces crossing at a common point;
drive means for rotating said rotary mirror;
photo-electric converting means for detecting a reflected image of said coded information and generating an electric signal corresponding to said coded information; and
decoder means coupled to said photo-electric converting means for decoding said coded information from said electrical signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical reader including a plurality of fixed mirrors disposed on an imaginary circumference, a light source for emitting a light beam, a rotating mirror receiving the light beam from the light source and directing the reflected light beam to the plurality of fixed mirrors successively so as to form a plurality of retarded scanning light beams projecting on an object, and photo-electric converter means for receiving lights reflected by the object and generating an electric signal. The optical reader does not require mechanical synchronization. Cleaner means may be provided to brush off dust from the surfaces of the fixed mirrors.
108 Citations
8 Claims
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1. Apparatus for optically reading coded information on goods regardless of the orientation of the coded information, comprising:
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a light source for emitting a light beam; a transparent reading area over which goods carrying coded information pass; a plurality of fixed rectangular mirrors having their longitudinal axes disposed approximately on an imaginary circumference; a rotary mirror having a single reflecting plane disposed at the center of said imaginary circumference for directing the light beam from said source to said plurality of fixed mirrors, the angles of said rotary and fixed mirrors being arranged such that the light beam reflected from said rotary and fixed mirrors is directed to said transparent reading area to form a plurality of scanning traces crossing at a common point; drive means for rotating said rotary mirror; photo-electric converting means for detecting a reflected image of said coded information and generating an electric signal corresponding to said coded information; and decoder means coupled to said photo-electric converting means for decoding said coded information from said electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. Apparatus for optically reading coded information on goods regardless of the orientation of the coded information, comprising:
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a light source for emitting a light beam; a transparent reading area over which goods carrying coded information pass; a plurality of fixed mirrors disposed on an imaginary circumference; a rotating mirror disposed at the center of said imaginary circumference for directing the light beam from said source to said plurality of fixed mirrors, the angles of said rotating and fixed mirrors being arranged such that the light beam reflected from said rotating and fixed mirrors is directed to said transparent reading area to form scanning traces crossing at a common point; photo-electric converting means for detecting a reflected image of said coded information and generating an electrical signal corresponding to said coded information; decoder means coupled to said photo-electric converting means for decoding said coded information from said electrical signals; detector means for detecting the presence of goods carrying said coded information and for generating first and second control signals representing the beginning and completion of a scanning period; and means coupled to said detector means for opening and closing a light path between said source and said reading area upon the occurrence of said first and second control signals, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. Apparatus for optically reading coded information on goods regardless of the orientation of the coded information, comprising:
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a light source for emitting a light beam; a transparent reading area over which goods carrying coded information pass; a plurality of fixed mirrors disposed on an imaginary circumference; a rotating mirror disposed at the center of said imaginary circumference for directing the light beam from said source to said plurality of fixed mirrors, the angles of said rotating and fixed mirrors being arranged such that the light beam reflected from said rotating and fixed mirrors is directed to said transparent reading area to form scanning traces crossing at a common point; photo-electric converting means for detecting a reflected image of said coded information and generating an electrical signal corresponding to said coded information; decoder means coupled to said photo-electric converting means for decoding said coded information from said electrical signals; and cleaner means coupled with said rotating mirror for cleaning said fixed mirrors. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification