Scanning system and scanning method with scan pattern control for reading 1-D and 2-D barcode symbols
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for reading barcode symbols, or the like, comprising:
- a light source for generating a light beam and directing the beam toward a symbol to be read;
a light detector for receiving light reflected from said symbol and, in response, generating an electrical signal and control information;
means for converting said electrical signal to data representing the information content of said barcode symbol; and
scan control means for controlling the light beam to initially scan the symbol with a prescribed two-dimensional scan pattern, and thereafter to increase a dimension of the scan pattern at a rate dependent upon said control information.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Optical scanning of one- and two-dimensional barcode symbols is carried out first in an aim mode wherein the symbol is scanned using a first scan pattern that is relatively small and dense so as to be visible to the user and thereafter using a second, larger and more robust scan pattern for decoding. During aiming, the symbol is partially decoded to determine type and orientation, and this information is applied to control the angle of the scan pattern produced, the rate at which the scan pattern is increased for optimum decoding, and the ultimate pattern size. Preferred scan patterns, as well as unique scan mechanisms, are described.
86 Citations
51 Claims
-
1. A device for reading barcode symbols, or the like, comprising:
-
a light source for generating a light beam and directing the beam toward a symbol to be read; a light detector for receiving light reflected from said symbol and, in response, generating an electrical signal and control information; means for converting said electrical signal to data representing the information content of said barcode symbol; and scan control means for controlling the light beam to initially scan the symbol with a prescribed two-dimensional scan pattern, and thereafter to increase a dimension of the scan pattern at a rate dependent upon said control information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of reading barcode symbols, comprising the steps of:
-
directing a light beam toward a symbol to be read; controlling said light beam to scan said symbol with a two-dimensional scan pattern of a first prescribed dimension; receiving light reflected from said symbol, and in response, generating an electrical signal; producing first data corresponding to said electrical signal; and increasing the dimension of said scan pattern at a rate dependent upon said first data. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A method of reading barcode symbols, comprising the steps of:
-
directing a light beam toward a symbol to be read; executing an aim mode of operation by controlling said light beam to scan said symbol with a visible two-dimensional scan pattern that is relatively small compared to the symbol; receiving light reflected from said symbol, and producing first data identifying an attribute of said symbol; and executing a decode mode of operation by producing second data corresponding to the symbol while increasing a dimension of said scan pattern at a rate and to a size dependent upon said first data. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A device for reading barcode symbols, or the like, comprising:
-
a light source for generating a light beam and directing the beam toward a target plane and a symbol to be read; scan control means for controlling the light beam to scan the symbol with a scan pattern having the form of a raster that precesses with respect to its angular orientation among successive frames so as to be capable of decoding one dimensional barcodes having a horizontal orientation angularly displaced from the raster direction and despite any arcuate non-linearity (droop) of the raster pattern on the target plane; a light detector for receiving light reflected from said symbol and, in response, generating an electrical signal; and means for converting said electrical signal into data corresponding to content of said symbol.
-
-
29. A method of reading barcode symbols, or the like, comprising the steps of:
-
generating a light beam and directing the beam toward a target plane and a symbol to be read; controlling the light beam to traverse the symbol with a scan pattern having the form of a raster that precesses with respect to its angular orientation among successive frames so as to be capable of decoding one-dimensional barcodes having a horizontal orientation angularly displaced from the raster direction and despite any arcuate non-linearity (droop) of the raster pattern on the target plane; receiving light reflected from said symbol and responsively producing an electrical signal; and converting said electrical signal into data corresponding to content of said symbol.
-
-
30. A method of scanning barcode symbols, or the like, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a relatively bright, rosette scanning pattern for enabling a user to aim and direct the beam toward a barcode symbol to be read; scanning said symbol; detecting light reflected from the symbol and generating an electrical signal in response to said reflected light; and modifying the radial diameter of said scan pattern in response to said electrical signal and at a rate and to a modified diameter determined by said electrical signal.
-
-
31. A system for reading indicia such as bar code symbols, comprising:
-
scanning means for generating a laser beam directed toward a target and producing a first omnidirectional scanning pattern for a first period of time and subsequently an angularly offset second omnidirectional scanning pattern for a second period of time that sweeps the entire indicia to be read; means for changing the scanning pattern from said first to said second pattern; and detection means for receiving reflected light from said indicia to produce electrical signals corresponding to data represented by said indicia, wherein, during said second period of time, (i) said scanning means precesses an angle of sweep of each line of said omnidirectional scanning pattern and (ii) a read of the indicia is obtained.
-
-
32. A system for reading optically encoded information on a target, comprising:
-
an optical device for directing a light beam toward said target; a light detector for receiving light reflected from said target and, in response, generating an information signal representing said optically encoded information; a signal processor for generating a control signal corresponding to said information signal; and wherein said optical device is adapted to direct the light beam to first form a prescribed two-dimensional scan pattern and to thereafter change an attribute of the prescribed two-dimensional scan pattern, said attribute and a rate of change of said attribute being determined by said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 51)
-
-
42. A method for reading optically encoded information on a target, comprising the steps of:
-
directing a light beam to form a prescribed two-dimensional scan pattern on said target; receiving light reflected from said target with said light beam forming said prescribed two-dimensional scan pattern on said target and, in response, generating an information signal representing said optically encoded information; generating a control signal corresponding to said information signal; and directing said light beam to change an attribute of the prescribed two-dimensional scan pattern, said attribute and a rate of change of said attribute being determined by said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
-
Specification