Light beam scanning pen, scan module for the device and method of utilization
First Claim
1. A hand-holdable light beam scanner producing a light beam comprising:
- an elongated housing having generally uniform cross-section and an axis along which it is elongated, said housing having a size and shape wherein it is adapted to be held in a person'"'"'s fingers in the manner of a pen or a wand during use of said scanner;
a light source disposed in said housing and producing a light source beam; and
a scan element disposed in said housing, said scan element receiving and redirecting said light source beam to provide a scanning beam directed generally about said axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A high speed non-contact beam scanning device sized and shaped to provide the ergonomic benefits of a pen or wand, yet can scan a wide angle moving beam across an information-bearing target in one or two dimensional scan patterns such as lines, rasters or other patterns in order to read information therefrom. The device is well suited for reading one or two dimensional bar-code or other printed matter. In order to achieve the high density optical packaging necessary for its high performance to size benefits the device employs a novel in-line or "axial" gyrating, or "axial" scan element. The axial scan element can accept an input light beam at one end and cause it to emerge from its opposite end as a scanned beam, propagating in the same general forward direction it had upon entering the element. Reflected light, which carries information contained on the target, is collected by an internal non-imaging light concentrator and is processed by signal processing electronics. All components are integrated into a thin low mass module small enough to fit in a pen. Communication from the device is achievable by a cable or by wireless transmission.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A hand-holdable light beam scanner producing a light beam comprising:
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an elongated housing having generally uniform cross-section and an axis along which it is elongated, said housing having a size and shape wherein it is adapted to be held in a person'"'"'s fingers in the manner of a pen or a wand during use of said scanner; a light source disposed in said housing and producing a light source beam; and a scan element disposed in said housing, said scan element receiving and redirecting said light source beam to provide a scanning beam directed generally about said axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A self contained scan module comprising:
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a light source producing a source light beam directed along an axis; a scan element disposed along said axis, said scan element receiving and redirecting said source light beam to provide a scanning light beam directed generally along said axis; and a housing supporting said light source and said scan element in a predetermined spatial relationship wherein said module has a volume of less than about one cubic inch. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A self contained scan module comprising:
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a light source producing a light beam directed along an axis; a scan element disposed along said axis, said scan element receiving and redirecting said light source beam to provide a scanning light beam directed generally along said axis; and a monolithic housing block having a volume of less than about one cubic inch and having an opening at a front end for receiving and supporting said scan element, said monolithic housing black supporting said light source and said scan element in a predetermined spatial relationship, said scan element redirecting said light source beam out of said module through said front end of said monolithic housing block. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification