Abstract: An optical scanning unit for use in a bar code scanner for scanning a bar code label includes a motor driven hollow drive shaft through which are projected laser light beams from a laser source positioned adjacent one end of the drive shaft. Mounted on the other end of the drive shaft is a deflecting member which includes a first reflecting surface for deflecting the laser light beams outwardly towards a ring of mirrors each of which is located in a plane parallel to the axis of the drive shaft. The light beams deflected from the ring of mirrors are directed towards a second reflecting surface on the deflecting member which surface deflects the received scanning light beams in a direction parallel to the axis of the hollow drive shaft thereby forming a scan pattern comprising a plurality of intersecting scan lines whose center of intersection remains constant as the distance between the deflecting member and the bar code label changes.

Abstract: A portable bar code scanner includes a housing member having a pair of sloping supporting surfaces oriented at an angle to each other and a floor portion on which is mounted a reflecting mirror. One of the sloping supporting surfaces includes a transparent substrate. A source of scanning light beams such as a hand-held scanner is mounted adjacent the other sloping supporting surface for projecting a plurality of scanning light beams in the form of a scanning pattern at the reflecting mirror which reflects the scan pattern onto the transparent substrate over which a bar code label is passed enabling the scanning light beams to scan the bar code label. A number of embodiments are disclosed for mounting the hand-held scanner adjacent the other sloping supporting surfaces and include an embodiment of the housing member rotatably mounted for movement to a number of rotated positions.

Abstract: A checkout system includes an optical scanning device removably mounted on the handles of oppositely positioned grocery carts to enable a operator to remove a purchased merchandise item from one of the carts and to move the item past the scanning device for deposit in the second grocery cart. An electrical cable connects the scanning device to an electrical outlet in the floor adjacent the carts. A second embodiment provides a support member removably mounted to the handle of a grocery cart containing purchased merchandise items and extending outwardly from the cart to support the scanning device adjacent the handle allowing a checkout operator to check out the purchased merchandise items located in the grocery cart utilizing the scanning device.

Abstract: A compact optical scanning apparatus includes a motor driven hollow drive shaft through which scanning light beams are projected. A mirror mounted on one end of the drive member deflects the light beams to the side of the drive member, said light beams impinge on the interior surfaces of a conically shaped ring of mirrors. The ring of mirrors will deflect the light beams downwardly towards a circular mirror mounted horizontally which reflects the light beams towards a ring of pattern forming mirrors mounted perpendicular to the circular mirror. The pattern forming mirrors will reflect the light beams through an aperture in the scanning apparatus in the form of a scanning pattern. A gear mechanism mounted between the ring of mirrors and the drive shaft rotates the ring of mirrors in a direction opposite to that of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A portable bar code scanner includes a housing member having a supporting surface which includes an aperture extending in a horizontal direction through the housing member. The supporting surface includes a recessed portion which is in communication with the aperture and which supports a portable bar code scanner. A mirror member mounted within the aperture and at an angle to the supporting surface deflects the scanning light beams through the aperture for scanning coded indicia positioned adjacent the aperture. A second embodiment discloses a support member slidably positioned within the aperture from either end of the aperture in which is mounted a mirror member for deflecting the scanning light beams through the support member and the aperture.

Abstract: A portable hand-held optical scanner comprises a disk-shaped housing which fits within the palm of the hand of a checkout operator, which scanner includes a scanning mechanism for generating a scanning pattern for scanning coded indicia, a strap member for securing the hand of the operator to the housing, a switch mounted on the rear surface of the housing adjacent the fingers of the operator for easy operation by the operator, a data processor and a transmitter for transmitting the data read by the scanner to a remote pickup.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for enabling a checkout system to repeat the price of a previously processed purchased merchandise item which includes mounting a pair of photodetector members in a pair of apertures located in the checkout counter which is exposed to ambient light and enabling the photodetector members to generate a pair of control signals in response to positioning a finger of the checkout operator over one of the apertures and alternately covering and uncovering the second aperture with a second finger of the checkout operator.

Abstract: A portable bar code scanner comprises a housing member having a pair of sloping supporting surfaces oriented at an angle to each other and a floor portion on which is mounted a reflecting mirror. One of the sloping supporting surfaces includes a transparent substrate. A portable hand-held optical scanner is positioned adjacent the other sloping supporting surface for projecting a plurality of scanning light beams in the form of a scan pattern at the reflecting mirror which reflects the scan pattern onto the transparent substrate over which a bar code label is passed enabling the scanning light beams to scan the bar code label. A magnet mounted adjacent the other sloping supporting surface is sensed by a sensor mounted in the hand-held scanner for generating control signals which are used in operating the scanner in different modes of operation depending on whether the scanner is mounted on the housing or when the scanner is used to freely scan a bar code label.

Abstract: A portable, stand-alone compact optical scanning apparatus includes a housing member in which is mounted a printed circuit board, a semicircular mirror member mounted on the printed circuit board having a cone shaped edge portion, a light emitting element mounted on the mirror member for projecting scanning light beams within the housing member, a multifaceted rotating spinner mounted on said printed circuit board extending through said mirror member for directing the light beams at a plurality of pattern forming mirror members which reflect the light beams at the edge portion of the mirror member which in turn reflects the light beams through an aperture in the cover portion of the housing member, the scan pattern scanning a bar code label on a merchandise item positioned on top of the housing adjacent the aperture. A collection system is mounted on the mirror member for generating electrical signals in response to detecting the reflected light beams from the scanned bar code label.

Abstract: An attenuator for varying the power of a laser scanning light beam includes a bracket having a reduced portion intermediate its ends enabling one end to be rotated around its other end. A glass element is secured to the movable end and is moved to a position which intercepts the laser light beam at an angle of incidence which varies in accordance with the amount of rotation of the movable end around the other end.

Abstract: A point-of-sale data terminal device includes an optical scanning device mounted in one of the wall portions of the terminal device. In one embodiment of the invention, the scanning device is mounted in a support member which in turn extends outwardly from and is rotatably mounted in the wall portion enabling the support member to be oriented in a plurality of scanning positions. In a second embodiment of the invention, one or more scanning devices are mounted flush with a wall portion to project scanning light beams in a vertical and/or horizontal direction outwardly from the terminal device.

Abstract: A disengageable tilt apparatus supports a structure such as an optical scanner for moving and supporting the scanner between vertical and horizontal positions and includes a support member having a cylindrical recessed portion within which is positioned a plastic flexible pivot member which applies a frictional force on the recessed portion to allow the scanner to be rotated and held in an operating position. The pivot member comprises a W-shaped member secured to the scanner having flexible arm members whose outer contact surface coincides with the cylindrical surface of the recessed portion to apply the frictional force.

Abstract: A method for transferring data between a first and second memory in which the first memory is divided into a number of partitions. Stored in the first memory are a plurality of first data bits locating the begin and end block of data space in each of the partitions which has been allocated for storage of data therein. In the begin block of each partition, there is stored second data bits identifying the number of freespace maps for its associated partition together with the freespace maps locating the data that is to be transferred to the second memory. Using the information contained in the freespace maps, a processor transfers the data from the second memory to the first memory.

Abstract: A portable bar code scanner includes a support member and a housing member rotatably mounted on the support member and having a pair of sloping supporting surfaces oriented at an angle to each other and a floor portion on which is mounted a reflecting mirror. One or both of the sloping supporting surfaces may include a transparent substrate. A source of scanning light beams such as a hand-held scanner is mounted adjacent the other sloping supporting surface for projecting a plurality of scanning light beams in the form of a scan pattern at the reflecting mirror which reflects the scan pattern onto the transparent substrate over which a bar code label is passed enabling the scanning light beams to scan the bar code label. The housing member may be rotated up to one hundred and eighty degrees to position the transparent substrate in a number of scanning positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing data outputted by a data processing unit includes an interface unit for generating a strobe pulse for each data word outputted, a timer for measuring the elasped time between the occurrence of two consecutive data words and a DMA controller for storing the data words together with the elapsed time data words in a remote storage unit. A time-out circuit insures that the time measured is between the occurrence of the first and second data words of each pair of data words.

Abstract: A bar code scanning system having a focusing lens for focusing scanning light beams in a first focal plane includes a slide member supporting a transparent substrate which enables the focusing lens to focus the light beams in a first focal plane through which a coded indicia is moved. When a coded indicia is moved closer to the focusing lens, the intensity of the reflected light beams increases which is detected by a detector member whose output signals operate a drive member coupled to the slide member, moving the slide member to a position removing the substrate from the path of light beams enabling the focusing lens to focus the light beams in a second focal plane which is closer to the focusing lens than the first focal plane.

Abstract: A bar code scanner includes a source of a scanning light beam which is intercepted by a beam splitter which divides the laser beam into two secondary light beams. Each secondary light beam is projected through a focusing lens which focuses each beam at a different focal point. Both of the secondary light beams are directed at a second beam splitter which combines the two secondary light beams forming a primary scanning light beam which is directed at a scanning area adjacent the scanner which will scan a coded bar code label at various distances from the scanner in accordance with the location of the two focal points.

Abstract: A detector assembly for use in an optical reader comprises a hollow housing in which is mounted on the central axis of the housing a collection lens, a routing mirror, a light filter and a photodetector. A routing lens mounted in the side of the housing and on an axis which is perpendicular to the central axis of the housing directs the scanning light at the routing mirror which in turn reflects the light in a scanning direction.