Instant portable bar code reader

• US 5,233,172 A
• Filed: 08/24/1990
• Issued: 08/03/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: First National Bank of Chicago (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Laser, Vadim, Chadima, George E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Stuart S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RHOA, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US07/572,898
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462, 235/463-467, 235/470, 235/472
• US Class Current: 235/462.32
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10594 Beam path
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10772 Moved readers, e.g. pen, wand
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10811 Focalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment, a hand held bar code reader has a handle portion and a reader head portion which may be held spaced from a bar code data carrier during a reading operation. Light energy is directed outwardly through a window so as to illuminate a bar code sensing region in front of the window having a depth dimension of at least about ten millimeters, and an optical system focuses bar code patterns in the sensing region onto an image photosensor in the reader unit with a resolution so as to read e.g. bar code formats with a minimum bar or space width of about 0.0075 inch or less. The bar code image is converged through a generally rectangular optical aperture and is reflected onto the image photosensor by a reflecting mirror positioned relative to the image photosensor by virtue of their common association with a printed circuit board.

Claims

1. In portable bar code reader system,

(a) a hand-held bar code reader having an elongated hand grip portion for grasping in the hand of a user and having a reader head portion connected with said elongated hand grip portion,

(b) said elongated hand grip portion having a length and cross sectional configuration so as to be grasped by the hand with the fingers in gripping relation thereto,

(c) said hand-held bar code reader having a bar code sensing region, and having a window to be directed toward a bar code in said sensing region and providing for transmission of light between the bar code sensing region and the interior of the reader head portion,

(d) a photodetector positioned within said reader head portion for sensing light reflected from a bar code located within said bar code sensing region, so as to generate a bar code signal representing the bar code,

(e) said hand-held bar code reader having a reflected light path therein from the window to the photodetector, and having an optical system positioned in said reflected light path between said window and said photodetector for receiving light reflected from a bar code in said bar code sensing region during a bar code reading operation and for directing the reflected light onto said photodetector for sensing thereby while the reader head portion is substantially spaced from the bar code and free of any contact with the bar code carrier, and without requiring any movement of the hand-held bar code reader as a whole to effect a complete bar code reading operation,

(f) a printed circuit board in said hand-held bar code reader having circuitry thereon connected with said photodetector for transmitting the successive bar code signals generated by said photodetector, and

(g) said printed circuit board having said optical system mounted thereon, and having said photodetector secured therewith, so that the printed circuit board, optical system and photodetector comprise a unitary mounting framework for mounting in the bar code reader.

2. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said photodetector having pins directly extending into holes of said printed circuit board.

3. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said reader head portion having a light source supplying light via an outgoing light path to said sensing region.

4. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 3, said optical system defining a reflected light path of length between the window and the photodetector which substantially exceeds the direct distance between the window and the photodetector.

5. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 4, said optical system, said light source, and said photodetector all occupying a space within the reader head portion, said reader head portion having a width not substantially greater than a value of the order of three inches and a length not substantially greater than a value of the order of two and one quarter inches.

6. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 5, said elongated hand grip portion having width and height dimensions tapering from a maximum cross section to a substantially reduced cross section in a direction toward a rear end of the elongated hand grip portion.

7. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said reader head portion having a light source supplying light via an outgoing light path to said sensing region, said hand-held bar code reader having portable battery power supply means for supplying energizing power to said light source, and said hand-held bar code reader, exclusive of said portable battery power supply means, having a weight not exceeding a value of the order of eight ounces.

8. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 6, said reader head portion having a top surface portion which extends at a substantial acute angle to the horizontal when the hand-held bar code reader is oriented in scanning relation to a bar code having a vertical disposition, so as to facilitate observation of a bar code as the hand-held bar code reader is placed in scanning relation to such a bar code by the user.

9. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 8, said optical system comprising a mirror in the reflected light path extending near the top of the space within the reader head portion and spaced rearwardly from the window for receiving reflected light transmitted through the window from a bar code and for directing such reflected light from a bar code downwardly and forwardly within said reader head portion.

10. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 9, said hand-held bar code reader having portable battery power supply means for supplying energizing power to said light source, and said hand-held bar code reader, exclusive of said portable battery power supply means, having a weight not exceeding a value of the order of eight ounces.

11. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said reader head portion having a top surface portion which extends a substantial acute angle to the horizontal when the hand-held bar code reader is oriented in scanning relation to a bar code having a vertical disposition, so as to facilitate observation of a bar code as the hand-held bar code reader is placed in scanning relation to such a bar code by the user.

12. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said hand-held bar code reader having portable battery power supply means for supplying energizing power to said reader, and said hand-held bar code reader, exclusive of said portable battery power supply means, having a weight not exceeding a value of the order of eight ounces.

13. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said hand-held bar code reader being part of a completely portable bar code reader system which is completely portable without requiring any connecting wires to stationary equipment.

14. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said optical system comprising a narrow optical aperture with a height parallel to the bars of a bar code of a value of the order of four millimeters.

15. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said hand-held bar code reader being operative to collect light energy from a bar code sensing region defined by convergent marginal reflected light paths forming respective angles to a central light path of values in the range from about ten degrees to about twenty degrees.

16. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said unitary mounting framework supporting a filter in the reflected light path between the window and the photodetector, serving to block wavelengths greater than a value of the order of seven hundred nanometers from reaching the photodetector.

17. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said optical system defining a reflected light path of length between the window and the photodetector which substantially exceeds the direct distance between the window and the photodetector.

18. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said reader head portion having a light source supplying light via an outgoing light path to said sensing region, said optical system, said light source, and said photodetector all occupying a space within the reader head portion, said reader head portion having a width not substantially greater than a value of the order of three inches and a length not substantially greater than a value of the order of two and one quarter inches.

19. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said elongated hand grip portion having width and height dimensions tapering from a maximum cross section to a substantially reduced cross section in a direction toward a rear end of the elongated hand grip portion.

20. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said reader head portion having a top surface portion which extends at a substantial acute angle to the horizontal when the hand-held bar code reader is oriented in scanning relation to a bar code having a vertical disposition, so as to facilitate observation of a bar code as the hand-held bar code reader is placed in scanning relation to such a bar code by the user.

21. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 1, said optical system comprising a mirror in the reflected light path extending near the top of the space within the reader head portion and spaced rearwardly from the window for receiving reflected light transmitted through the window from a bar code and for directing such reflected light from a bar code and for directing such reflected light from a bar code downwardly and forwardly within said reader head portion.

22. In a portable bar code reader system,

(a) a hand-held bar code reader having an elongated hand grip portion for grasping in the hand of a user and having a reader head portion connected with said elongated hand grip portion,

(b) said elongated hand grip portion having a length and cross sectional configuration so as to be grasped by the hand with the fingers in gripping relation thereto,

(c) said hand-held bar code reader having a bar code sensing region, and having a window to be directed toward a bar code in said sensing region and providing for transmission of light between the bar code sensing region and the interior of the reader head portion,

(d) a photodetector positioned within said reader head portion for sensing light reflected from a bar code located within said bar code sensing region, so as to generate a bar code signal representing the illuminated bar code,

(e) said hand-held bar code reader having a reflected light path therein from the window to the photodetector, and having an optical system positioned in said reflected light path between said window and said photodetector for receiving light reflected from a bar code in said bar code sensing region during a bar code reading operation and for directing the reflected light onto said photodetector for sensing thereby while the reader head portion is substantially spaced from the bar code and free of any contact with the bar code carrier, and without requiring any movement of the hand-held bar code reader as a whole to effect a complete bar code reading operation, said optical system comprising a reflecting mirror aligned with said window and spaced a substantial distance from the window for receiving reflected light as it travels from the window, and for redirecting the reflected light generally toward a frontal end of the reader head portion,

(f) a printed circuit board in said hand-held bar code reader having circuitry thereon connected with said photodetector for transmitting the successive bar code signals generated by said photodetector, and

(g) said printed circuit board having said photodetector secured thereto, and having said optical system fastened thereto so that the reflecting mirror is positioned relative to the photodetector by virtue of their common association with the printed circuit board.

23. In a portable bar code reader system according to claim 22, said photodetector having pins directly extending into holes of said printed circuit board, and electrically connecting with said circuitry on said printed circuit board via said pins.

24. In a portable bar code reader system according to claim 22, said reader head portion having only one printed circuit board therein.

25. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 22, said optical system defining a reflected light path of length between the window and the photodetector which substantially exceeds the direct distance between the window and the photodetector.

26. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 22, a light source having associated circuit components on the printed circuit board and connected therewith, said optical system, said light source, and said photodetector all occupying a space within the reader head portion, said reader head portion having a width not substantially greater than a value of the order of three inches and a length not substantially greater than a value of the order of two and one quarter inches.

27. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 26, said reader head portion which contains the optical system, the light source and the photodetector having a maximum height dimension of not greater than about one inch.

28. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 27, said reader head portion having a configuration at its top side which is unobstructed so as to facilitate observation of a bar code over the top side of the reader head portion as the hand-held bar code reader is placed in scanning relation to such a bar code by the user.

29. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 28, said reflecting mirror in the reflected light path extending in an upper portion of the space within the reader head portion and spaced rearwardly from the window for receiving reflected light transmitted through the window from a bar code and for directing such reflected light from a bar code downwardly and forwardly within said reader head portion such that the reflected light path has a folded configuration.

30. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 29, said hand-held bar code reader having portable battery power supply means for supplying energizing power to said light source, and said hand-held bar code reader, exclusive of said portable battery power supply means, having a weight not exceeding a value of the order of eight ounces.

31. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 22, said hand-held bar code reader having portable battery power supply means for supplying energizing power to said reader, and said hand-held bar code reader, exclusive of said portable battery power supply means, having a weight not exceeding a value of the order of eight ounces.

32. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 31, said hand-held bar code reader being part of a completely portable bar code reader system which is completely portable without requiring any connecting wires to stationary equipment.

33. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 22, said reflecting mirror being operative to collect light energy from a bar code sensing region defined by convergent marginal reflected light rays forming respective angles to a central longitudinal reflected light ray of values in the range from about ten degrees to about twenty degrees.

34. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 22, said printed circuit board having a filter in the reflected light path between the window and the photodetector, serving to block wavelengths greater than a value of the order of seven hundred nanometers from reaching the photodetector, said filter being secured with said printed circuit board so as to be removable from the reader head portion as a unit therewith.

35. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 22, said reader head portion having a light source supplying light via an outgoing light path to said sensing region, means secured with said printed circuit board for limiting the effective cross section of one of the outgoing light path and the reflected light path, said means providing a narrow rectangular optical aperture with a longer axis aligned with the long axis of the bars of the bar code when the hand-held bar code reader is oriented in scanning relation to a bar code.

36. In a portable bar code reader according to claim 35, said means secured with said printed circuit board providing a narrow rectangular optical aperture with a height parallel to the bars of a bar code of a value of the order of four millimeters.