Enhanced resolution automatic data collection apparatus and method using an afocal optical element
First Claim
1. A method for reading machine-readable symbols using an automatic data collection device, the method comprising:
- generating a light beam;
directing the light beam to a scanning mirror;
directing the light beam from the scanning mirror to an afocal optical element, the light beam being incident on the afocal optical element;
using the afocal optical element to change a characteristic associated with a scanning beam; and
exiting the light beam from the afocal optical element as the scanning beam having the changed characteristic and directing the scanning beam having the changed characteristic onto a target machine-readable symbol,wherein using the afocal optical element to change the characteristic associated with the scanning beam includes using the afocal optical element to decrease a field of view and increase resolution for far-field scanning said target machine-readable symbol at a first time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic data collection device, such as a scanner-type device, is provided with an afocal optical element, such as an afocal lens, that operates in conjunction with a scanning mirror to scan a target machine-readable symbol using a scanning beam. The scanning mirror deflects a light beam into the afocal lens. The afocal lens operates to change a resolution or width of the scanning beam for far-field scanning, for example, where resolution is increased by the afocal lens. The afocal lens can also operate to change the resolution or width of the scanning beam for near-field scanning, for example, where resolution is decreased by the afocal lens.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for reading machine-readable symbols using an automatic data collection device, the method comprising:
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generating a light beam; directing the light beam to a scanning mirror; directing the light beam from the scanning mirror to an afocal optical element, the light beam being incident on the afocal optical element; using the afocal optical element to change a characteristic associated with a scanning beam; and exiting the light beam from the afocal optical element as the scanning beam having the changed characteristic and directing the scanning beam having the changed characteristic onto a target machine-readable symbol, wherein using the afocal optical element to change the characteristic associated with the scanning beam includes using the afocal optical element to decrease a field of view and increase resolution for far-field scanning said target machine-readable symbol at a first time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An automatic data collection device to read machine-readable symbols, the automatic data collection device comprising:
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a light source to generate light; a scanning mirror positioned to have the generated light incident thereon and to deflect the incident light; and an afocal optical element positioned to receive the deflected light from the scanning mirror and to output a scanning beam derived from the received deflected light, the scanning mirror being movable to move the scanning beam across a target machine-readable symbol, wherein the afocal optical element is adapted to provide an increase in a field of view and a corresponding decreased resolution associated with the scanning beam for near-field scanning. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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15. An automatic data collection device to read machine-readable symbols, the automatic data collection device comprising:
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a light source to generate light; a scanning mirror positioned to have the generated light incident thereon and to deflect the incident light; and an afocal optical element positioned to receive the deflected light from the scanning mirror and to output a scanning beam derived from the received deflected light, the scanning mirror being movable to move the scanning beam across a target machine-readable symbol, wherein the afocal optical element is adapted to provide a decrease in a field of view and a corresponding increased resolution associated with the scanning beam for far-field scanning.
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23. An article of manufacture, comprising:
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a machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that are executable by a processor of an automatic data collection device to read machine-readable symbols, by; causing generation of a light beam that is directed to a scanning mirror positioned to direct the light beam to pass through an afocal optical element to enable said afocal optical element to change a resolution or a field of view associated with said light beam; actuating the scanning mirror to scan the light beam, which has passed through said afocal optical element and which has said associated resolution or field of view changed by said afocal optical element, across a target machine-readable symbol; changing a first oscillation amplitude of the scanning mirror at a first time to correspondingly increase the field of view for near-field scanning; and changing a second oscillation amplitude of the scanning mirror at a second time to correspondingly decrease the field of view and increase the resolution for far-field scanning; evaluating light received from the target machine-readable symbol to determine a property associated with the light beam; and using the determined property and the afocal optical element to further change said resolution or field of view associated with the light beam scanned across the target machine-readable medium. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification