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Automatic hand-supportable laser bar code symbol scanning device and method of scanning bar codes using same

DC
  • US 5,925,870 A
  • Filed: 03/27/1997
  • Issued: 07/20/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A bar code symbol reading system having a bar code symbol detection mode of operation and a bar code symbol reading mode of operation, said bar code symbol reading system comprising:

  • a housing having a light transmission aperture through which visible light can exit and enter said housing;

    system activation means disposed in said housing for producing an activation signal indicative of an object located within at least a portion of a scan field definable external to said housing;

    a laser beam source in said housing for producing a visible laser beam within said housing;

    laser beam directing means in said housing, for directing said visible laser beam through said light transmission aperture and into said housing;

    a scanning mechanism in said housing for scanning said visible laser beam across said scan field and a bar code symbol on said object in response to production of said activation signal, said scanned visible laser beam flickering in said scan field at a rate in the range from about 0.5 Hz to about 16 Hz so as to improve the visual conspicuousness of said visible laser beam in said scan field during the bar code symbol detection mode of operation;

    light detection means in said housing, for detecting the intensity of laser light reflected off said bar code symbol, and for automatically producing scan data indicative of the detected intensity of said reflected laser light;

    scan data processing means for processing produced scan data so as to detect and decode said scanned bar code symbol, and upon detecting and decoding said scanned bar code symbol, automatically producing symbol character data representative of said detected and decoded bar code symbol; and

    control means for controlling the operation of said bar code symbol reading system.

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