Scan pattern generators for bar code symbol readers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In a light scanning system for reading symbols, an arrangement comprising:
- (a) a housing having an exit port;
(b) light means in the housing for generating a light beam;
(c) optical means in the housing for directing the light beam along an optical path through the exit port;
(d) scanning means in the housing for scanning the light beam in scans across successive symbols located exteriorly of the housing; and
(e) pattern means including a mirror rotatable about an axis and having optical properties, and operative for generating a bidirectional scan pattern of mutually parallel scan lines extending linearly across each symbol to be read, at least one of the scan lines extending along one sweep direction, and at least another of the scan lines extending along an opposite sweep direction countercurrent to said one sweep direction, said pattern means being operative for spacing the scan lines apart from one another along a direction parallel to said axis by a distance which is a function of said optical properties of the mirror.
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Abstract
Multiple scan line pattern generators including bidirectional scan patterns of mutually parallel scan lines, and scan patterns composed of intersecting lines, are superimposed over bar code symbols to be read. At least one of the scan lines is automatically moved closer to and further away from a reader to perform a zooming function to read far-out and close-in symbols.
74 Citations
6 Claims
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1. In a light scanning system for reading symbols, an arrangement comprising:
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(a) a housing having an exit port; (b) light means in the housing for generating a light beam; (c) optical means in the housing for directing the light beam along an optical path through the exit port; (d) scanning means in the housing for scanning the light beam in scans across successive symbols located exteriorly of the housing; and (e) pattern means including a mirror rotatable about an axis and having optical properties, and operative for generating a bidirectional scan pattern of mutually parallel scan lines extending linearly across each symbol to be read, at least one of the scan lines extending along one sweep direction, and at least another of the scan lines extending along an opposite sweep direction countercurrent to said one sweep direction, said pattern means being operative for spacing the scan lines apart from one another along a direction parallel to said axis by a distance which is a function of said optical properties of the mirror. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. In a light scanning system for reading symbols, an arrangement comprising:
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(a) a housing having an exit port; (b) light means in the housing for generating a light beam; (c) optical means in the housing for directing the light beam along an optical path through the exit port; (d) scanning means in the housing for scanning the light beam in scans across successive symbols located exteriorly of the housing, said scanning means including a drive having an output shaft extending along a shaft axis; (e) pattern means for generating an omnidirectional scan pattern of intersecting scan lines extending across each symbol to be read, each scan line being formed by the optical means at a predetermined distance from the exit port of the housing, said pattern means including a planar rotary mirror mounted on the shaft for rotation about the shaft axis by the drive during scanning, said rotary mirror having a light-reflecting coating on a major mirror surface which extends at an angle to the shaft axis, said pattern means further including a plurality of light-reflecting folding mirrors mounted on the housing and equiangularly arranged relative to one another about the rotary mirror; and (f) means for changing the predetermined distance of at least one of the scan lines during scanning. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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Specification