Bar code reader for reading both one dimensional and two dimensional symbologies with programmable resolution
First Claim
1. An optical reader for reading an indicia having areas of differing light reflectivity, comprising:
- (a) a light source arranged to produce an outgoing light beam which, in use, simultaneously illuminates an elongate region of an indicia to be read, the elongate region including a plurality of areas of differing light reflectivity;
(b) an adjustable image-capture portion for directing the light beam onto the indicia and for receiving light reflected from the indicia, the image-capture portion comprising(i) an optical scanning element for scanning the beam in a scan pattern over the indicia in a direction transverse to the elongate region;
(ii) an optical detector for receiving light reflected from the indicia and for producing an output signal representative thereof; and
(c) a microprocessor control for adjusting at least one of the size and resolution of the scan pattern in dependence on the indicia to be read.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A plurality of the areas of differing light reflectivity of a bar code symbol or the like are simultaneously illuminated using, for example, a beam of light that has an elongate cross-section. The light beam is swept over the symbol to be read in a direction transverse to the elongated dimension of the illuminated region so that a two-dimensional area of the symbol is illuminated over time. The reflected light is sensed by a 1D CCD array. A microprocessor within the scanner provides visual feedback to aid a user in aligning the device, and also provides for a selectable aspect ratio for the image, a selectable image resolution and size, a selectable aspect ratio of the illumination, and a selectable pixel size. All of these options may be programmed within the microprocessor, enabling the device to read a large variety of two-dimensional symbols.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An optical reader for reading an indicia having areas of differing light reflectivity, comprising:
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(a) a light source arranged to produce an outgoing light beam which, in use, simultaneously illuminates an elongate region of an indicia to be read, the elongate region including a plurality of areas of differing light reflectivity; (b) an adjustable image-capture portion for directing the light beam onto the indicia and for receiving light reflected from the indicia, the image-capture portion comprising (i) an optical scanning element for scanning the beam in a scan pattern over the indicia in a direction transverse to the elongate region; (ii) an optical detector for receiving light reflected from the indicia and for producing an output signal representative thereof; and (c) a microprocessor control for adjusting at least one of the size and resolution of the scan pattern in dependence on the indicia to be read. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21)
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20. A method of reading an indicia having areas of differing light reflectivity, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an outgoing light beam which simultaneously illuminates an elongate region of an indicia to be read, the elongate region including a plurality of areas of differing light reflectivity; (b) providing an adjustable image-capture portion for directing the light beam onto the indicia and for receiving light reflected from the indicia, the image-capture portion comprising; (i) an optical scanning element for scanning the beam in a scan pattern over the indicia in a direction transverse to the elongate region; (ii) an optical detector for receiving light reflected from the indicia and for producing an output signal representative thereof; and (c) adjusting at least one of the size and resolution of the scan pattern in dependence upon the indicia to be read. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification