Portable laser diode scanning head
First Claim
1. An optical component for use in optical scanning system of the type having a laser light source and a laser light sensor mounted in a lightweight handheld housing, and operative for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, compromising;
- (a) a reciprocally oscillatable scanning mirror for reflecting light from the light source to the indicia parts in a scan across the indicia parts, thereby reflecting light of variable light intensity off the indicia parts;
(b) a reciprocally oscillatable Fresnel collecting mirror for collecting a least a portion of the light reflected off the indicia parts, and for directing the collected portion of light to the light sensor; and
(c) drive means for jointly, reciprocally and simultaneously oscillating the scanning mirror and the Fresnel collecting mirror.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable laser diode scanning head, aimable at each symbol to be read, emits and receives non-readily-visible laser light, and is equipped with a trigger-actuated aiming light arrangement for visually locating and tracking each symbol. A compact laser diode optical train and an optical folded path assembly, as well as an interchangeable component design and an integral window construction for the head also are disclosed. An embodiment that employs a Fresnel optical element and an embodiment that discloses a curved scanning/connecting mirror are also disclosed.
65 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An optical component for use in optical scanning system of the type having a laser light source and a laser light sensor mounted in a lightweight handheld housing, and operative for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, compromising;
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(a) a reciprocally oscillatable scanning mirror for reflecting light from the light source to the indicia parts in a scan across the indicia parts, thereby reflecting light of variable light intensity off the indicia parts; (b) a reciprocally oscillatable Fresnel collecting mirror for collecting a least a portion of the light reflected off the indicia parts, and for directing the collected portion of light to the light sensor; and (c) drive means for jointly, reciprocally and simultaneously oscillating the scanning mirror and the Fresnel collecting mirror. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A lightweight, handheld laser scanner for reading indicia and generating electrical signals indicative thereof, comprising:
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a) a housing having an area for passing laser light to the indicia and for receiving reflected laser light from the indicia; b) a source of laser light in the housing; c) a sensor in the housing for receiving said reflected laser light after it has been admitted through said area and for generating a first signal representative of said indicia; d) a plurality of optical elements positioned in the housing generally defining an optical path between the source of laser light and said area of the housing and between said area and said sensor, the optical elements including (i) a reciprocally oscillatable scanning mirror positioned for receiving laser emissions from the light source and sweeping them through said area across said indicia, and (ii) a reciprocally oscillatable Fresnel collecting mirror positioned for receiving said reflected laser light and reflecting it onto said sensor, wherein the scanning mirror and the Fresnel collecting mirror are secured in a fixed physical relationship for joint movement with each other; and e) drive means for reciprocally oscillating the scanning mirror and the Fresnel collecting mirror jointly. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification