Abstract: A bar code scanning system for a conveyor system in which a first conveyor and a second conveyor are disposed apart from each other by a small gap region. A light emitting device is positioned in the gap underneath a top surface of the first and second conveyors, and the light emitting device shines light onto bar code labels on a bottom side of objects as the objects traverse from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A light receiving device is also positioned in the gap, and the light receiving device receives reflected light from the bottom side of the objects due to the light being shined on the objects by the light emitting device. The gap is covered by a glass or plastic plate, so as to allow light to pass substantially therethrough.

Abstract: A combination range optical scanner includes a short distance laser and a long distance laser. A scan mirror is oscillated by a motor and scans a beam from one of the two lasers across a field of view. A controller turns the two lasers on and off such that both a short distance scan and a long distance scan are automatically performed. The rate at which the controller turns the lasers on and off may be synchronized with the oscillation rate of the scan mirror. A collection mirror may include two facets, integrally formed therewith, where the two lasers are respectively directed toward the two facets.

Abstract: A bar code scanner includes aseparate transmitter and receiver, each being able to ultrasonically transmit and receive data, respectively. The receiver transmits an acknowledgement signal when a protocol is received, and sends the acknowledgement signal to the transmitter which, unless it receives the acknowledgement signal, will retransmit the protocol a predetermined number of times. The transmitter includes a receiver which monitors an ultrasonic frequency band for a time period in which transmission by the transmitter is not allowed. The time period corresponds to a time when another ultrasonic signal in the ultrasonic frequency band is detected by the receiver of the transmitter. Transmission by the transmitter is allowed as soon as the another ultrasonic signal is no longer detected by the receiver of the transmitter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the length, width, and height of rectangular solid objects moving on a conveyor. The apparatus includes a light curtain, two laser triangulation range finders, and a pulse tachometer mounted on a frame around a conveyor. As an object is conveyed through the frame, measurements from each of the sensors are correlated by a digital computer to estimate the length, width and height of the object. The method and apparatus does not require a break in the surface of the conveyor, and is insensitive to object placement and orientation on the conveyor.

Abstract: The system, which is especially suitable for use as a bar code scanner trigger which allows for hands-free scanner operation and non-contact triggering of the scanner by the operator, in one embodiment, comprises a switch and a switch actuator, with the switch mounted proximate to a movable part of the body, and the switch actuator located on the movable part of the body, which part is movable so as to move the switch actuator and switch to within a predetermined proximity of one another and thereby actuate the switch, which will actuate the electronic equipment switched thereby. After the switch has been actuated, moving the part of the body with the switch actuator thereon so as to move the switch actuator and switch beyond a predetermined proximity of one another will deactuate the switch, and thereby deactivate the electronic equipment switched thereby.

Abstract: An automated prescription filling system which assists the physician in providing a prescription and/or assists he pharmacist in filling a prescription in which the physician enters prescription information into his/her computer by which a bar coded prescription may be printed out. The prescription printed out includes a bar code containing all pertinent information including drug specification, dose strength, taking instructions, physician identification as well as corresponding human-readable typed information. The patient takes the prescription into the pharmacy and the pharmacist fills the prescription either in the conventional fashion since the prescription contains all the necessary information in typed form, or the pharmacist scans the bar code(s) and the prescription is automatically entered into pharmacy computer. The pharmacist then selects the matching drug from the shelf container and scans the NDC (National Drug Code) bar-code on the container.

Abstract: A digitizer for a barcode scanner includes an amplifier and a comparator. The amplifier receives a feedback signal and a differentiated return signal on a first port, and a reference voltage signal on a second port. Based on a difference between voltages on the first and second ports, the amplifier outputs an output signal, which is limited between a maximum voltage value and a minimum voltage value. The output signal is delayed in phase, and the phase-delayed signal is input to a first port of a comparator, while the undelayed output signal is input to a second port of the comparator. Based on a comparison of the voltages on the first and second ports of the comparator, the feedback signal having one of a first voltage value and a second voltage value is obtained.

Abstract: A bar code scanner system includes a laser light source that periodically produces a light beam that is swept across a bar code label. The laser light source is periodically turned "on" and "off" according to a duty cycle. A detector produces a first electric signal representative of received bar code label reflected light and ambient light when the laser light source is on, and produces a second electric signal representative of received ambient light when the light source is "off". A demodulator circuit, coupled to the detector, provides a first gain to the first electric signal and provides a second gain to the second electric signal. The gains applied are selected such that the signal and signal component produced solely as a result of the ambient light will significantly cancel out one another when the signals are combined. A filter, coupled to the demodulator circuit, receives the electric signals from the demodulator circuit and reduces out-of-band signal components such as noise.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and reporting optical symbol readability and operator and reader performance levels. The apparatus includes a reader for optical symbols which measures and reports the values of measurements with respect to the symbol and events occurring during the reading process indicative of the label readability. The apparatus further comprises data accumulation device including a memory storage to accumulate these measurement values for each set of labels, and a programmed computing system to analyze the measured values and report on the results of the analysis. A preferred method of monitoring and reporting optical symbol readability and operator and reader performance levels includes the steps of reading or attempting to read an optical symbol, performing measurements within the symbol and noting events during the reading process, accumulating these values, analyzing the accumulated data, and producing a report which lists the sets of labels which had readability problems.

Abstract: A system for bar code reading and scanning is provided having automatic bar code signal size control. In the first embodiment of the system, a processor selects on successive scans of a bar code one of a plurality of different optical power levels from a laser diode which provides a light beam illuminating the bar code. This selection is responsive to the size of the signal from a photo-detector which receives returned light from the bar code during scanning. The signal size is detected by a signal size detecting circuit, and is measured by the processor during scanning. In a second embodiment of the system, the processor calculates an optical power level after every two consecutive scans across the bar code. The laser power level is calculated differently for alternative scans occurring in different orders (even or odd counting from the first scan).

Abstract: A wireless scanning system for a bar code scanner and a personal computer. The bar code scanner sends raw bar code data via a wireless connection to the personal computer. The personal computer decodes the raw bar code data, and sends the digitized version of the raw bar code data to a keyboard buffer, in order to simulate data from the keyboard at the personal computer based on the raw bar code data.

Abstract: A light beam, which scans in opposite directions across a bar code, is controlled in velocity and scan angle by monitoring the voltage across a winding of a motor, such as one of the phase windings of a two phase stepper motor, which causes the beam to scan across a field of view where the bar code is located. In order to enable the winding, which carries current for driving the motor, circuitry that inhibits the voltage from inductive generation (the back EMF) into the winding during periods when the drive current is applied to the motor. The drive current is applied in pulses, and preferably in groups of pulses, which groups recur periodically. In one embodiment of the invention, which utilizes a motor with two phase windings, the groups of pulses are applied alternately to different ones of the windings and the voltage due to inductive generation is derived from one of these windings during the time period where the pulses are applied to the other winding.

Abstract: In order to set the output optical power of a laser diode precisely and under digital control without expensive digital to analog conversion devices, a digital controller provides a sequence of pulses. A capacitor is charged by these pulses to produce a control voltage which controls the current through the laser diode via an operational amplifier driver stage. The output power obtained from the laser as detected by a photodetector, which is optically coupled to the laser and may be packaged therewith, is monitored by the computer so as to determine the rate at which laser power changes and indirectly at the rate at which the capacitor charges. This rate may vary depending upon environmental conditions and manufacturing tolerances. Based upon the charging rate, a pulse is generated and used to either provide additional charge or to charge the capacitor to the voltage corresponding to the desired optical power output.

Abstract: A bar code scanning engine is disposed in a housing with a device that tracks the movement of the housing over a surface displaying symbols, such as bar codes, and provides an integrated bar code reading and locating assembly, commonly known as a mouse. When the mouse is in proximity to the bar code on the surface over which is tracks, switches on the mouse are actuated and circuitry in the mouse associated with the device and with the scanning engine initiates scanning, and provide outputs representing the location of the mouse on the surface and the bar code. The circuitry may be adapted to enable bar code scanning only when the mouse is located at selected positions on the surface where bar codes are expected to be found. The entire mouse assembly may be lifted from the surface and operated in a manner similar to a tethered hand-held bar code scanner using switches and scanner engine.

Abstract: A unitary hand-held bar code scanner and reader produces an elliptical beam, oriented with its major axis along the direction of the bars, utilizing optics employing far field diffraction effects to shape the beam and maintain its elliptical aspect (length to width ratio) constant over a distance in front of the scanner were bar codes may be located. The optics eliminates parallax even though the photodetector and light source (preferably a laser diode) are located offset from each other on a board on which the optics are mounted. A housing assembly has channels which mount the board therein without shock absorbing devices. A digital microcomputer controller and peripheral devices regulate the optical power output from the laser diode and prevents catastrophic failure, if the electrical current through the laser diode exceeds safe limits.

Abstract: A computerized control system for driving an rotor which can carry a laser or a beam deflecting mirror and is actuated by a coil thereon electromagnetically coupled to a fixed magnet or a stepper motor coil. The rotor can be part of an electromechanical oscillatory system supported by flexures or the stepper motor can be electrically biased to produce, electrodynamically a restoring force. The back EMF of the coil is sensed, translated into successive digital signals which are processed in accordance with programs in firmware of the computer to generate driving pulses which are applied to the coil to obtain desired displacement motion of oscillation suitable for scanning the beam.

Abstract: A miniature scan engine module for bar code reading and data collection systems utilizes a light source 44 and a light collector 42, which in one embodiment, are flexurally supported on a platform 62 which reciprocates 88 on pivots defined by flexures 46, 48 or 96. The optical collector faces the bar code and pivots with the scanning beam source (a laser diode). A diffraction grating or Fresnel lens on the surface of the optical collector which faces the code directs the incoming light so that it propagates internally in a substrate within the body of the collector, i.e. in the optic itself and without air paths which require additional volume in the module, to a photodetector. The scan engine can be configured so that it occupies a volume of less than 1 cubic inch. A data collection system, in the form of a portable terminal 10, has a housing which provides the handle 12 of a scanning accessory.

Abstract: A unitary hand-held bar code scanner and reader produces an elliptical beam, oriented with its major axis along the direction of the bars, utilizing optics employing far field diffraction effects to shape the beam and maintain its elliptical aspect (length to width ratio) constant over a distance in front of the scanner were bar codes may be located. The optics eliminates parallax even though the photodetector and light source (preferably a laser diode) are located offset from each other on a board on which the optics are mounted. A housing assembly has channels which mount the board therein without shock absorbing devices. A digital microcomputer controller and peripheral devices regulate the optical power output from the laser diode and prevents catastrophic failure, if the electrical current through the laser diode exceeds safe limits.

Abstract: In order to set the output optical power of a laser diode precisely and under digital control without expensive digital to analog conversion devices, a digital controller provides a sequence of pulses. A capacitor is charged by these pulses to produce a control voltage which controls the current through the laser diode via an operational amplifier driver stage. The output power obtained from the laser as detected by a photodetector, which is optically coupled to the laser and may be packaged therewith, is monitored by the computer so as to determine the rate at which laser power changes and indirectly at the rate at which the capacitor charges. This rate may vary depending upon environmental conditions and manufacturing tolerances. Based upon the charging rate, a pulse is generated and used to either provide additional charge or to charge the capacitor to the voltage corresponding to the desired optical power output.

Abstract: An integrally molded trigger body has a mounting portion received through an opening in an upper portion of a handle of a hand-held bar code scanner and pivotably mounted in the handle under spring bias. The trigger body has a tongue portion extending outwardly of the handle and downwardly beyond the opening toward a grip section of the handle. The tongue portion is contoured to conform with the contour of the grip section when the trigger body is depressed by a user of the scanner so as to actuate the scanning and reading modes.