Apparatus and method for reading indicia using charge coupled device and scanning laser beam technology
First Claim
1. A scanning device for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising;
- a single light emitter for generating a scanning light beam to visually illuminate sequential portions of the indicia;
a sensor for detecting light reflected from portions of the indicia by scanning a field of view and for generating an electrical signal representative of spatial intensity variations of said portions of the indicia; and
a controller for automatically varying the rate of scanning of said sensor to read said indicia.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A scanning device for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity, including bar code or matrix array symbols, has a single light emitter, such as a laser or light emitting diode, for generating a scanning light beam to visually illuminate sequential portions of the indicia. A sensor, such as a charge coupled or other solid state imaging device, simultaneously detects light reflected from portions of the indicia and generates an electrical signal representative of the spacial intensity variations the portions of the indicia. The scanning device may also include an ambient light sensor, and a second light emitter for use only in aiming or orienting the scanning device. A photodetector may also be provided to separately detect one symbol virtually simultaneous with the detection of another symbol by the sensor or to provide dual modalities. A method for reading indicia is also provided.
206 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A scanning device for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising;
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a single light emitter for generating a scanning light beam to visually illuminate sequential portions of the indicia; a sensor for detecting light reflected from portions of the indicia by scanning a field of view and for generating an electrical signal representative of spatial intensity variations of said portions of the indicia; and a controller for automatically varying the rate of scanning of said sensor to read said indicia. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A scanning device for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising;
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a single light emitter for generating a scanning light beam to visually illuminate sequential portions of the indicia; an imager for detecting light reflected from portions of the indicia and for generating an electrical signal representative of spatial intensity variations of said portions of the indicia; and means for processing said electrical signal to determine whether the indicia is a linear or multidimensional symbol.
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20. A scanning device for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity comprising:
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a light source for generating a visible light beam; an optical element for directing said visible light beam such that said visible light beam forms a scan line across said indicia; a sensor, including an array of individual detection elements, for detecting the reflected light from said indicia by imaging a field of view and for generating an electrical signal representing the spatial intensity variations of said indicia; and a controller operable to control said optical element to vary the scanning rate of said light beam across said indicia. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising;
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generating a single scanning light beam to visually illuminate sequential portions of the indicia; imaging light reflected from portions of the indicia including the scanned field of view; automatically varying either the rate of said scanning light beam, or the imaging of said field of view, or both, to read the indicia; and generating an electrical signal representative of spatial intensity variations of said portions of the indicia. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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33. A method for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising:
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generating a single scanning light beam to visually illuminate sequential portions of the indicia; simultaneously imaging light reflected from portions of the indicia; and generating an electrical signal representative of spatial intensity variations of said portions of the indicia; and processing said electrical signal to determine whether the indicia is a linear or multidimensional symbol.
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43. A method for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity comprising:
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generating a visible light beam; directing said visible light beam such that said visible light beam forms a scan line across said indicia at a first scan rate; imaging the reflected light from said indicia by scanning a field of view including the indicia at a second scan rate; varying at least one of said first scan rate and said second scan rate to obtain a read of said indicia; and generating an electrical signal representing the spatial intensity variations of said indicia. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46)
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Specification