Light beam scanning pen, scan module for the device and method of utilization
First Claim
1. A light beam scanner producing a light beam and directing said light beam along an optical path toward a target comprising a light source producing a source light beam and a scan element receiving said source light beam and redirecting said source light beam to provide a scanning light beam directed toward a target, said scan element including:
- a generally planar flexible uni-member;
an optical element secured to said flexible member;
a support coupled to and supporting said flexible member, so that said optical element is disposed in said optical path, said support being coupled to said flexible member at a plurality of locations so as to permit flexing of said flexible member between said locations; and
means for flexing said flexible member, whereby flexing of said flexible member moves said optical element, thereby redirecting said optical path to provide a scanning light beam.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
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 it to emerge from its opposite end as a scanned beam, propagating in the same general forward direction it 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. Communication from the device is achievable by a cable or by wireless means.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A light beam scanner producing a light beam and directing said light beam along an optical path toward a target comprising a light source producing a source light beam and a scan element receiving said source light beam and redirecting said source light beam to provide a scanning light beam directed toward a target, said scan element including:
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a generally planar flexible uni-member;
an optical element secured to said flexible member;
a support coupled to and supporting said flexible member, so that said optical element is disposed in said optical path, said support being coupled to said flexible member at a plurality of locations so as to permit flexing of said flexible member between said locations; and
means for flexing said flexible member, whereby flexing of said flexible member moves said optical element, thereby redirecting said optical path to provide a scanning light beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A scan apparatus comprising:
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a light source producing a source light beam directed along an axis; and
an axial scan element disposed along said axis, said scan element receiving and redirecting said source light beam to provide a scanning light beam, directed generally along said axis, said scan element including a first mirror, a second mirror, and a gyrator, said first mirror being disposed along said axis to reflect said source light beam as a first reflected beam directed toward said second mirror, said second mirror being disposed so as to receive and reflect said first reflected beam to provide said scanning light beam, said gyrator being coupled to one of said mirrors and disposed to impart to the coupled mirror a gyrating motion about said axis. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification