Interface for interfacing an imaging engine to an optical code reader

• US 7,097,101 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2003
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Shamkovich, Andrei, Zhang, Heng, Giordano, Joseph, Kogan, Eduard
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAIL, ALLYSON NEEL
• Application Number:
  US10/694,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20040159703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 235/454, 235/462.2, 235/462.38, 235/462.44, 235/462.23, 235/462.15, 235/462.37, 235/462.45, 235/462.21, 235/435, 23547201-47203, 250/201.4, 348/207.99, 348/376, 348/143, 348/362, 348/345, 359/215, 359/196, 351/219
• US Class Current: 235/454
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/20 for imaging minute objects, e.g. light-pointer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/04 with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10811 Focalisation

Abstract

An optical code reader having means for focusing an imaging optics assembly on a target image. The optical code reader includes a chassis and an imaging optics assembly pivotally mounted on the chassis. The imaging optics assembly is housed within an opto-mechanical barrel assembly. Pivotal movement of the opto-mechanical barrel assembly adjusts the focus of the imaging optics assembly on a target image. The optical code reader further includes an illumination device and an aiming device.

Claims

1. An optical code reader comprising:

a chassis;

an imaging optics assembly housed within a mechanical barrel assembly pivotally mounted on the chassis;

an assembly for receiving and processing image data generated by the imaging optics assembly; and

means for focusing the imaging optics assembly on a target image, wherein a pivot pin rotatably connects the mechanical barrel assembly to the chassis, wherein the focus is adjusted by pivoting the imaging optics assembly about the pivot pin such that the imaging optics assembly pivots relative to the assembly for receiving and processing image data, and further such that a linear distance between the imaging optics assembly and the assembly for receiving and processing image data is adjusted.

2. The optical code reader according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination device for illuminating the target image.

3. The optical code reader according to claim 1, further comprising an aiming device for assisting a user in aiming the optical code reader on the target image.

4. The optical code reader according to claim 3, wherein the aiming device comprises a visual laser diode and a diffractive optical element lens assembly.

5. The optical code reader according to claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board assembly for bi-directional transmission of signals of at least one of a plurality of input signals and a plurality of output signals.

6. The optical code reader according to claim 1, further comprising a motor assembly for focusing the imaging optics assembly on the target image.

7. The optical code reader according to claim 6, wherein the motor assembly comprises a magnet, and a coil assembly for applying an electromagnetic force on the magnet.

8. The optical code reader according to claim 7, wherein at least one power signal is transmitted to the coil assembly such that the coil assembly applies an electromagnetic force on the magnet, wherein the magnet is connected to the opto-mechanical barrel assembly thereby causing the opto-mechanical barrel assembly to pivot about the pivot pin to adjust the focus of the optical code reader.

9. The optical code reader according to claim 1, wherein the imaging optics assembly comprises a lens holder, a first lens positioned within the lens holder adjacent a circumferential shoulder formed on an inner surface of the lens holder, a second lens and an aperture positioned within the lens holder adjacent the first lens, a third lens positioned within the lens holder, and a retaining element for retaining the first, second and third lenses and the aperture within the lens holder.

10. The optical code reader according to claim 1, wherein the chassis is formed of zinc.

11. The optical code reader according to claim 1, wherein the imaging optics assembly is pivoted approximately one degree.

12. The optical code reader according to claim 11, wherein the pivot of approximately one degree results in an adjustment approximately equivalent to an 85 micron linear adjustment.

13. The optical code reader according to claim 12, wherein the adjustment is completed in less than 20 milliseconds.

14. A method for adjusting focus of an imaging optics assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an imaging optics assembly pivotally mounted on a chassis;

receiving and processing image data generated by the imaging optics assembly via an image data receiving and processing assembly; and

pivoting a mechanical barrel assembly housing the imaging optics assembly such that the imaging optics assembly is pivoted relative to the image data receiving and processing assembly such that a linear distance between the imaging optics assembly and the image data receiving and processing assembly is adjusted to focus the imaging optics assembly on a target image.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of illuminating the target image.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of aiming the imaging optics assembly on the target image.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the aiming device comprises a visual laser diode and a diffractive optical element lens assembly.

18. An optical code reader comprising:

a chassis;

an image data receiving and processing assembly connected to the chassis; and

an opto-mechanical barrel assembly for housing an imaging optics assembly, wherein the opto-mechanical barrel assembly is pivotally mounted on the chassis such that pivotal movement of the opto-mechanical barrel assembly relative to the image data receiving and processing assembly alters a linear distance between the opto-mechanical barrel assembly and the image data receiving and processing assembly and adjusts the focus of the imaging optics assembly on a target image.

19. The optical code reader according to claim 18, further comprising an electromagnetic motor assembly for causing pivotal movement of the imaging optics assembly to adjust the focus on the target image.

20. The optical code reader according to claim 19, wherein the electromagnetic motor assembly comprises a magnet mounted on the opto-mechanical barrel assembly, a coil assembly for applying an electromagnetic force on the magnet, and a pivot pin for pivotally mounting the opto-mechanical barrel assembly on the chassis.