Abstract: A flexible scan element for scanning a light beam, and methods for making and actuating the scan element. The scan element includes a first leaf that is rigidly affixed to a substrate, a second leaf having a mirror affixed thereto, and a flexible hinge that couples the first leaf to the second leaf. The second leaf is moveable and pivots about an axis of the flexible hinge. The first leaf is coupled to the second leaf solely by the flexible hinge, and the flexible hinge is formed solely from an elastomer material. The first and second leaves are preferably formed from flat rigid metal, and optionally include bonding flanges that couple the leaves to the elastomeric hinge forming material. The mirror is affixed on one side of the second leaf and a magnet is optionally affixed on the opposite side of the second leaf. The scan element optionally includes tabs for mounting the device to a flat substrate or circuit board, and, in one embodiment has a resonant frequency in the range of 20 Hz-100 Hz.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a scanning light beam for scanning a target using a light beam scanning system. In response to actuation of the scanning system by a user, only a single non-periodic pulse of current is provided to a scan element. The single pulse of current causes the scan element to move a light beam from a stationary equilibrium position to a first position at a first extreme end of a scan line that intersects the target. Immediately after the light beam reaches the first extreme end of said scan line, the scan element moves the light beam from the first extreme end of the scan line to a second extreme end of the scan line without application of external current. Thereafter, immediately after the light beam reaches the second extreme end of the scan line, the scan element brings the light beam back to the stationary equilibrium position without application of external current.

Abstract: An externally operable electronic switch which is entirely located within a housing but which is in no way mechanically or physically attached to the inside or the outside of the housing, has no moving parts, nothing to wear out, requires no holes or special treatments to the housings of equipment into which it may be incorporated and has no optical parts to fog or become dirty which could lead to unreliable operation is disclosed. The switch is operated without mechanical force. It is unnecessary to touch anything to operate it and it consumes extremely low stand by power. It is suited for sealed and portable battery operated equipment.

Abstract: A device for providing angular displacement of an axis in a direction selected from the X or Y direction or rotational movement about the Z direction with respect to the axis. The device comprises a magnetic core element which produces a magnetic field and defines a Z axis. The core element is capable of displacement in the X and Y directions respectively, and also rotational movement about the Z axis. A coil device proximate the core element introduces a distortion force in the core element in at least one of the X and Y directions or about the Z axis as desired a mounting device suspends the core element with respect to the coil means to permit relative movement therebetween in response to the distortion force.

Abstract: A high speed non-contact beam scanning device sized and shaped to provide the ergonomic benefits of a pen or wand, yet can scan a wide angle moving beam across an information-bearing target in one or two dimensional scan patterns such as lines, rasters or other patterns in order to read information therefrom. The device is well suited for reading one or two dimensional bar-code or other printed matter. In order to achieve the high density optical packaging necessary for its high performance to size benefits the device employs a novel in-line or "axial" gyrating, or "axial" scan element. The axial scan element can accept an input light beam at one end and cause the light beam to emerge from its opposite end as a scanned beam, propagating in the same general forward direction the light beam had upon entering the element. Reflected light, which carries information contained on the target, is collected by an internal non-imaging light collector and is processed by signal processing electronics.

Abstract: An externally operable electronic switch which is entirely located within a housing but which is in no way mechanically or physically attached to the inside or the outside of the housing, has no moving parts, nothing to wear out, requires no holes or special treatments to the housings of equipment into which it may be incorporated and has no optical parts to fog or become dirty which could lead to unreliable operation is disclosed. The switch is operated without mechanical force. It is unnecessary to touch anything to operate it and it consumes extremely low stand by power. It is suited for sealed and portable battery operated equipment.

Abstract: A system for focusing a light beam includes a housing having a sealed cavity filled with a pliable gel for receiving and focusing light rays from a light source. A housing having a hollow cavity is provided. The hollow cavity is filled with a pliable gel for receiving and focusing light rays from a light source. Thereafter, the pliable gel is sealed within the hollow cavity.

Abstract: A high speed non-contact beam scanning data acquisition memory card is disclosed. The device possesses the ergonomic benefits of a a card, yet can scan a wide angle moving beam across an information-bearing target in one or two dimensional scan patterns such as lines, rasters or other patterns in order to read information therefrom. The device is well suited for reading one or two dimensional bar-code or other printed matter where great portability as in medical records acquisition is desired. In order to achieve the high density electro-optical packaging necessary for its high performance to size ratio the present device employs a low profile scan module which is turned on by novel methods. Collected information is processed by signal processing electronics and stored in solid state low power memory devices. Novel triggering and scan actuating methods are also disclosed as are novel integrated scanning applications. In one embodiment components are integrated into a thin PCMCIA card or pen type scan device.

Abstract: A non-contact light beam scan system small enough to fit into a hand holdable wand, pen or calculator size terminal incorporates a novel scan element which can scan at rates of ten to hundreds of scans per second in one or two dimensions. The device is immune to low frequency vibrations and can scan large angles of 60 degrees or more. Automatic trigger circuitry enables it to be used equally well in hand held or fixed mount applications. The depth of operating range is extended with a novel focal system which is integrated with the light source. The entire scanning system for generating a beam, focusing the beam electronically, scanning the beam, collecting light from a target and converting it into electrical signals, and automatically generating a trigger signal can work with industry standard low or high speed bar code decoders.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning a bar code target by continuously varying the focal range of a bar code scanning system. A light source is provided for generating light rays, and a lens is provided for focusing the light rays. The lens has a variable focal length. The focused light rays are scanned across the bar code target with a beam scanner. While the focused light rays are being scanned, the focal length of the lens is continuously varied.

Abstract: A non-mechanical switch for actuating a light beam scanning device disposed within a device housing. The device housing has a first area for emitting a scanning light beam from the device. The switch is formed of a light source and a light detector disposed within the device housing, the light source emits light through a second area on the device housing. The light detector is adapted to receive light emitted from the light source and reflected back through the second area toward the light detector by an object disposed outside of the device housing. The light detector has an output signal that is coupled by electronic circuitry to a light beam scanner within the light beam scanning device. The electronic circuitry is adapted to selectively actuate the light beam scanning device in response to the output signal from the light detector. The first area on the device housing for emitting the scanning light beam from the device is separate from the second area on the device housing.

Abstract: A compact beam scanning information readout device and method for reading bar code or other information requires little or no orientation of the information to be scanned by virtue of its raster or omni directional scan capabilities. Only a single mirror is needed to generate two dimensional scans. A wide range of scan speeds are also possible for simple or complex one or two dimensional patterns. Scanning in two dimensions may be done with independent and continuous control of the scan in each dimension. The scan patterns may be electronically controlled to instantly achieve various orientations ranging from a straight line rotated about a point to continuously rotating complex patterns. A light collector, light detector, processor, and means of signal transmission are also included. In one embodiment the device is packaged in a housing resembling a wand or a thin flashlight and in another embodiment the device is packaged in a ceiling mountable housing which will not interfere with counter top work space.

Abstract: A non-contact light beam scan system small enough to fit into a hand holdable wand, pen or calculator size terminal incorporates a novel scan element which can scan at rates of ten to hundreds of scans per second in one or two dimensions. The device is immune to low frequency vibrations and can scan large angles of 60 degrees or more. Automatic trigger circuitry enables it to be used equally well in hand held or fixed mount applications. The depth of operating range is extended with a novel focal system which is integrated with the light source. The entire scanning system for generating a beam, focusing the beam electronically, scanning the beam, collecting light from a target and converting it into electrical signals, and automatically generating a trigger signal can work with industry standard low or high speed bar code decoders.

Abstract: A scanning device for projecting a light beam against a target having information contained thereon which is to be scanned by the light beam; and in particular relates to a compact laser scanning device, such as a bar code projecting a laser beam, and which device incorporates a drive component such as a scanning motor for oscillating a scanning element or mirror at a high rate of speed within a specified angular range so as to cause the light or laser beam which impinges against the information on the target to be rapidly swept across the information in a scanning sequence. In particular, the structure is directed to improving the linearity of the oscillatory or "dithering" motion imparted by the scanning motor to the scanning element or mirror. Also contemplated is a novel method of utilizing the "dithering" or oscillating motion of the scanning motor for effectuating an improvement in the quality of the scan by the scanning device.

Abstract: A high speed non-contact beam scanning device sized and shaped to provide the ergonomic benefits of a pen or wand, yet can scan a wide angle moving beam across an information-bearing target in one or two dimensional scan patterns such as lines, rasters or other patterns in order to read information therefrom. The device is well suited for reading one or two dimensional bar-code or other printed matter. In order to achieve the high density optical packaging necessary for its high performance to size benefits the device employs a novel in-line or "axial" gyrating, or "axial" scan element. The axial scan element can accept an input light beam at one end and cause it to emerge from its opposite end as a scanned beam, propagating in the same general forward direction it had upon entering the element. Reflected light, which carries information contained on the target, is collected by an internal non-imaging light concentrator and is processed by signal processing electronics.