Automatic optical scanner with improved activation controlling mechanism

• US 6,499,664 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2000
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Wilz, David M. Sr., Rockstein, George B., Naylor, Charles A., Knowles, Carl H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US09/726,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20010000907A1
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.22, 235/462.25, 235/462.46, 235/462.47, 235/462.2, 235/472.01, 235/472.02
• US Class Current: 235/462.31
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/106 having diffraction gratings as scanning elements, e.g. holographic scanners holographic optical elements G02B5/32, holography G03H
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1012 Special detection of object
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1016 Motor control or optical moving unit control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1017 Programmable
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1018 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10 by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10564 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10594 Beam path
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10603 Basic scanning using moving elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10663 using hologram
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10673 Parallel lines
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10693 for omnidirectional scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10702 Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors G06K7/10831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10792 Special measures in relation to the object to be scanned
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10801 Multidistance reading
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10811 Focalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10861 sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels postal sorting B07C3/14, conveying articles B65G47/48
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10871 : randomly oriented data-fields, code-marks therefore, e.g. concentric circles-code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 : constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10891 : the scanner to be worn on a finger or on a wrist
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/109 : adaptations to make the hand-held scanner useable as a fixed scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 : using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1443 : locating of the code in an image

Abstract

Disclosed is a fully automatic bar code symbol reading system having an hand-supportable laser bar code reading device which can be used in either an automatic hands-on mode of operation, or in an automatic hands-free mode of operation. The system includes a scanner support frame for supporting the hand-supportable device in a user-selected mounting position, and permits complete gripping of its handle portion prior to its use in the hands-on mode of operation. In general, the hand-supportable bar code reading device has long-range and short-range modes of object detection, bar code presence detection and bar code symbol reading. In the illustrative embodiment, the long-range mode is automatically selected when the hand-supportable bar code reading device is placed within the scanner support stand during the automatic hands-free mode of operation. Whenever the hand-supportable bar code reading device is picked up from the support stand and used in its hands-on mode of operation, the short-range mode is automatically selected to provide CCD-like scanner emulation. When used in either mode of operation, the automatic bar code reading device is capable of reading, in a consecutive manner, one or more bar code symbols on an object, while preventing multiple reading of the same bar code symbol due to dwelling of the laser scanning beam upon the bar code symbol. The automatic bar code symbol reading system of the present invention is disclosed in several different mounting arrangements at a point-of-sale station, illustrating novel methods of reading bar code symbols using the automatic hand-supportable laser scanning device of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic code symbol reading device comprising:

(a) a housing with an optically transmissive window through which optical energy can exit from, and enter into, the housing;

(b) an optical energy source in the housing which, when activated by a controlling mechanism, produces an optical beam projected through the optically transmissive window and into a scan field extending outwardly from the housing;

(c) a scanning mechanism in the housing which, when activated by the controlling mechanism, scans the optical beam across the scan field to form a scanning pattern;

(d) an optical detector in the housing for detecting optical energy reflected from a code symbol as the optical beam is scanned across the scan field and the code symbol therein, and, in response to the detected optical energy, generating scan data indicative of the scanned code symbol;

(e) an object detector in the housing for detecting the presence of an object within an object detection field extending outwardly from the housing, and producing in response thereto an activation signal, the object detection field being characterized by a volumetric extent that spatially encompasses at least a portion of the scan field;

(f) a processor for processing produced scan data so as to decode the code symbol on the detected object, and upon detecting the code symbol, automatically producing data representative of the decoded code symbol; and

(g) a controlling mechanism for providing at least one of

(i) timed activation of the optical beam source and/or the scanning mechanism; and

(ii) selection of an operating range for the code symbol reading device.

2. The automatic code symbol reading device of claim 1, wherein the controlling mechanism includes a timed activation mechanism for automatically activating the optical beam source and the scanning mechanism for up to a predetermined time period in response to the generation of the activation signal;

the timed activation circuit automatically deactivating the optical beam source and the scanning mechanism in response to the processor failing to decode the code symbol on the detected object within the predetermined time period.

3. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 2, wherein the object detector has a short-range mode of object detection and a long-range mode of object detection,

wherein, when the object detector is in the short-range mode of object detection, the object detector is adapted to detect the presence of an object located within a short range as measured from the optically transmissive window, and

wherein, when the object detector is in the long-range mode of object detection, the object detector is adapted to detect the presence of an object located within a long range as measured from the optically transmissive window; such that the long range represents a greater distance than the short range.

4. The automatic code symbol reading device of claim 3, wherein the controlling mechanism further comprises a mechanism for operating the object detector in the short range mode of object detection in response to the absence of a long range mode activation signal, and for operating the object detector in the long-range mode of object detection in response to the presence of the long range mode activation signal.

5. The automatic code symbol reading device of claim 3, wherein the housing includes a head portion of a handle portion.

6. The automatic code symbol reading device of claim 1 wherein the object detector comprises:

(a) a transmitter for transmitting an optical signal into the object detection field, and

(b) a receiver for receiving at least a portion of the optical signal reflected by the object in the object detection field and for producing the activation signal in response thereto.

7. The automatic code symbol reading device of claim 6 wherein the optical signal includes transmitted infrared radiation.

8. The automatic code symbol reading device of claim 1 wherein the code symbol is a bar code symbol.

9. The automatic code symbol reading device of claim 1 wherein the object detector comprises a synchronous receiver/transmitter.

10. The automatic code symbol reading device of claim 1 wherein the housing has a longitudinal dimension extending in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the scan field and the object detection field extend outward beyond the optically transmissive window in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the housing.

11. The automatic code symbol reading device of claim 1, wherein the object detection field spatially encompasses at least a central portion of the scan field.

12. The automatic code symbol reading device of claim 1 wherein the processor and the controlling mechanism are situated within the housing.

13. An automatic code symbol reading system comprising:

A) an optical scanning device including

(1) a housing having an optically transmissive window by which optical energy can exit from and enter into the housing;

(2) a data gathering mechanism for gathering data from a code symbol, the data comprising graphical indicia of differing light reflectivities;

the data gathering mechanism including;

(a) an optical energy source for producing an optical beam projected through the optically transmissive window and into a scan field defined externally with respect to the housing;

(b) a scanning mechanism for scanning the beam across the scan field in a manner so as to provide a scanning pattern;

(c) an optical detector for detecting optical energy reflected by a code symbol as the beam is scanned across the scan field an the code symbol situated therein, and for automatically gathering data indicative of the detected optical energy, and

(3) an object detector in the housing for detecting the presence of an object within an object detection field defined externally with respect to the housing, and producing in response thereto an activation signal, the object detection field having a volumetric extent;

(B) a processor for processing gathered data so as to decode the code symbol on the detected object, and upon decoding the code symbol, automatically producing symbol character data representative of the decoded code symbol; and

(C) a controlling mechanism for controlling the operation of the automatic code symbol reading system by providing at least one of;

(a) timed activation of the optical energy source and/or the scanning mechanism; and

(b) selection of an operating range for the code symbol reading system.

14. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 13, wherein the object detector has at least a short-range mode of object detection and a long-range mode of object detection,

wherein, when the object detector is in the short range mode of object detection, the object detector is adapted for detecting the presence of the object located within a short range as measured from the optically transmissive window, and

wherein, when the object detector is in the long range mode of object detection, the object detector is adapted for detecting the presence of the object located within a long range as measured from the optically transmissive window; the long range representing a greater distance than the short range.

15. The code symbol reading system of claim 14, wherein the controlling mechanism places the object detector in the short range mode of object detection in response to the absence of a long range mode activation signal at the activation mechanism, and places the object detector in the long range mode of object detection in response to the presence of the long range mode activation signal at the activation mechanism.

16. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 13, wherein the controlling mechanism includes:

an activation mechanism for automatically activating the data gathering mechanism for up to a predetermined time period in response to a generation of the activation signal;

the activation mechanism automatically deactivating the data gathering mechanism in response to the processor failing to decode the code symbol on the detected object within the predetermined time period.

17. The code symbol reading system of claim 16, wherein the object detector comprises:

(a) a transmitter for transmitting an optical signal into the object detection field, and

(b) a receiver for receiving at least a portion of the transmitted optical signal that is reflected by the object in the object detection field and for generating the activation signal in response thereto.

18. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 16 wherein the code symbol is a bar code symbol.

19. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 16 wherein the object detector comprises a synchronous receiver/transmitter.

20. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 16 wherein the housing has a longitudinal dimension extending in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the scan field and the object detection field extend outward beyond the optically transmissive window in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the housing.

21. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 20, wherein the housing includes a head portion and a handle portion.

22. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 16, wherein the object detection field spatially encompasses at least a central portion of the scan field.

23. An automatic code symbol reading system comprising:

(A) an optical scanning device including

(1) a housing having an optically transmissive window by which optical energy can exit from and enter into the housing;

(2) a data gathering mechanism for gathering data from a code symbol, the data comprising graphical indicia of differing light reflectivities;

the data gathering mechanism including;

(a) an optical energy source for producing an optical beam projected through the optically transmissive window and into a scan field defined externally with respect to the housing;

(b) a scanning mechanism for scanning the beam across the scan field in a manner so as to provide a scanning pattern;

(c) an optical detector for detecting optical energy reflected by a code symbol as the beam is scanned across the scan field and the code symbol situated therein, and for automatically gathering data indicative of the detected optical energy, and

(3) an object detector in the housing for detecting the presence of an object within an object detection field defined externally with respect to the housing, and producing in response thereto an activation signal, the object detection field having a volumetric extent;

(B) a processor for processing gathered data so as to decode the code symbol on the detected object, and upon decoding the code symbol, automatically producing symbol character data representative of the decoded code symbol; and

(C) a controlling mechanism for controlling the operation of at least one of;

the data gathering mechanism, the optical energy source, the scanning mechanism, and the optical detector, in response to the object detector detecting the presence of an object.

24. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 23, wherein the object detector has at least a short-range mode of object detection and a long-range mode of object detection,

wherein, when the object detector is in the short range mode of object detection, the object detector is adapted for detecting the presence of the object located within a short range as measured from the optically transmissive window, and

wherein, when the object detector is in the long range mode of object detection, the object detector is adapted for detecting the presence of the object located within a long range as measured from the optically transmissive window; the long range representing a greater distance than the short range.

25. The code symbol reading system of claim 24, wherein the controlling mechanism places the object detector in the short range mode of object detection in response to the absence of a long range mode activation signal at the activation mechanism, and places the object detector in the long range mode of object detection in response to the presence of the long range mode activation signal at the activation mechanism.

26. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 23, wherein the controlling mechanism includes:

an activation mechanism for automatically activating the data gathering mechanism for up to a predetermined time period in response to a generation of the activation signal;

the activation mechanism automatically deactivating the data gathering mechanism in response to the processor failing to decode the code symbol on the detected object within the predetermined time period.

27. The code symbol reading system of claim 26, wherein the object detector comprises:

(a) a transmitter for transmitting an optical signal into the object detection field, and

(b) a receiver for receiving at least a portion of the transmitted optical signal that is reflected by the object in the object detection field and for generating he activation signal in response thereto.

28. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 26 wherein the code symbol is a bar code symbol.

29. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 26 wherein the object detector comprises a synchronous receiver/transmitter.

30. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 26 wherein the housing has a longitudinal dimension extending in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the scan field and the object detection field extend outward beyond the optically transmissive window in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the housing.

31. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 30, wherein the housing comprises a head portion and a handle portion.

32. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 26, wherein the object detection field spatially encompasses at least a central portion of the scan field.

33. The automatic code symbol reading system of claim 23, wherein the processor and the controlling mechanism are situated within the housing.