Light beam scanning pen, scan module for the device and method of utilization
First Claim
1. A device for providing angular displacement of a light beam in a direction selected from the X and Y directions with respect to a Z-axis, comprising:
- a light beam deflecting means for redirecting said light beam;
a flexible mounting means for mounting said light beam deflecting means and defining a Z-axis, said mounting means being capable of angular displacement about the X or Y direction; and
a distortion means proximate said mounting means for introducing a distortion force in said mounting means to cause angular displacement of said mounting means about at least one of said X and Y directions.
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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 the light beam to emerge from its opposite end as a scanned beam, propagating in the same general forward direction the light beam had upon entering the element. Reflected light, which carries information contained on the target, is collected by an internal non-imaging light collector and is processed by signal processing electronics. All components are integrated into a thin low mass module small enough to fit in a pen. The device is achievable by a cable or by wireless communication.
187 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A device for providing angular displacement of a light beam in a direction selected from the X and Y directions with respect to a Z-axis, comprising:
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a light beam deflecting means for redirecting said light beam; a flexible mounting means for mounting said light beam deflecting means and defining a Z-axis, said mounting means being capable of angular displacement about the X or Y direction; and a distortion means proximate said mounting means for introducing a distortion force in said mounting means to cause angular displacement of said mounting means about at least one of said X and Y directions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device for providing angular displacement of a light beam about a direction selected from the X and Y directions with respect to a Z axis comprising:
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an entrance aperture at a first end of said device for admitting an incoming light beam; a first mirror disposed to receive and reflect said incoming light beam; a flexible mounting means mounting said first mirror, said mounting means defining said Z axis, and being capable of angular displacement about the X and Y directions; distortion means for inducing angular displacement of said mounting means about the X or Y directions; a second mirror disposed generally parallel to said first mirror to receive said reflected beam from said first mirror; an exit aperture at a second end of said device opposite said first end, said exit aperture being disposed to permit said beam reflected from said second mirror to exit said device as a scanned beam of light proceeding in the same general direction as said incoming beam. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A gyrating optical beam deflector comprising:
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a generally planar flexible member, the plane of said flexible member defining a Z axis perpendicular to said plane and mutually perpendicular X and Y axis in said plane; a support coupled to said flexible member at a plurality of spaced apart locations so as to permit flexing of said flexible member intermediate said locations; an optical element coupled to said flexible member adjacent said locations; and means coupled to said flexible member for applying a force thereto so as to flex said flexible member and rotate said optical element about said X axis. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification