Abstract: A hand-mountable adaptive bar code scanner includes a scanner for generating a light beam directed toward a target, the light beam sweeping the symbol to be read. The scanner further includes a photodetector for receiving reflected light from such symbol, and circuitry to determine whether the signal received is sufficiently distinct to determine that a valid symbol has been scanned, and signal processing circuitry having adjustable gain, bandwidth, and digitizer threshold characteristics for processing such signals.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 11, 1997
Date of Patent:
January 18, 2000
Assignee:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Jerome Swartz, Edward Barkan, Glenn S. Spitz, Joseph Katz, Boris Metlitsky
Abstract: Several different embodiments are disclosed of a simple, compact bar code scanner which is capable of scanning in any one of several modes, a linear scan mode for scans along a single axis, an omnidirectional scan mode for scans with consecutive scan lines which are angularly displaced relative to each other, or a raster scan mode for scans with consecutive scan lines along a first scan axis which are displaced relative to each other along a second perpendicular axis. In a preferred embodiment, the compact bar code scanner is used in a small housing mounted on an index finger of an operator such that the natural pointing direction of the index finger aims the scanner.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 18, 1997
Date of Patent:
January 4, 2000
Assignee:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Simon Bard, Asklod Strantienco, Joseph Katz
Abstract: A scanner has a window in its housing through which the scanning beam emerges to impinge upon an indicia to be read. The window is elongate, and adjacent each end, on the inside of the housing, there is a bar code symbol structure. In use, the scanning beam first scans across the symbol structure at one end of the window, then passes through the window to impinge upon the indicia, then scans across the second symbol structure at the other end of the window. Reflected light from the two code symbol structures and from the indicia, are received by a photodetector. The reflected light from the bar code symbol structures on the inside surface of the housing provides locating and timing information which enables the scanner to produce an accurate special reconstruction, in computer memory, of the indicia. In an alternative embodiment, the beam moves in a raster pattern, and there is a further locating/timing/synchronization bar code symbol structure adjacent a long edge of the window.
Abstract: A housing, held or worn by a user, contains a light emitter for emitting a light beam that is manually moved by the user relative to a target in a pointing mode of operation. An actuator is operative for actuating a scanning element to automatically move the light beam relative to the target in a scanning mode of operation. The actuator may be a switch or proximity sensor to switch between the modes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 24, 1997
Date of Patent:
December 21, 1999
Assignee:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Simon Bard, Joseph Katz, Miklos Stern, Mark Krichever
Abstract: An original document of one or more pages containing human-readable printed information is encoded in one or more two-dimensional bar code symbols and transmitted by facsimile to a remote site where a facsimile of the symbols is machine read, decoded and printed to provide an accurate reproduction of the original document. The facsimile symbol can be facsimile transmitted to another remote site where the facsimile symbol is regenerated, machine read, decoded and printed as another reproduction of the original document. The machine readability of the symbol facilitates computer entry of the original document printed information. The coded symbol may also contain data used at a remote site to control processing and dissemination of the original document printed information.
Abstract: A communications network comprising a cellular local area wireless network includes a plurality of access points connected to a housed computer and each other, and a plurality of mobile units each mobile unit being arranged for association with an access point. The mobile units are arranged to periodically scan for and identify the most eligible access point for association on the basis of the criteria of best quality signal strength and loading factor. In order to identify when mobile units are being removed from a predetermined area, access points having directional antennae are situated adjacent exit points to detect when mobile units are in a vicinity. Each mobile unit may include paging facilities, including the capability of transmitting information in a coded form known both to the unit and to a host, and power-saving facilities.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 8, 1996
Date of Patent:
December 14, 1999
Assignee:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Frederic Heiman, Patrick Pinard, Andrew Werback, Michael Shiba
Abstract: A battery-powered device, especially a hand-held, data collection terminal having an electro-optical scanner, includes a main housing, a battery pack separate from the main housing, and a latching mechanism for latching the battery pack in its assembled position on the main housing in which it is partially received in a correspondingly configured receiving recess of the main housing. Electrical circuitry in the device is shut down prior to battery pack removal. During idle periods, the device is supported on a cradle, with a back or handle portion of the device being received in a main compartment of the cradle. The cradle also includes an auxiliary compartment for receiving the battery pack for recharging the same.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 1998
Date of Patent:
December 14, 1999
Assignee:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Edward Trant, Robert Doran, Philip W. Swift, Carl Thelemann
Abstract: An auditory beeper mounted in a hand-held scanning head of an electro-optical system for reading light-reflective indicia signals a user that the indicium has been found and is ready to be read by generating a series of sounds or beeps whose rate of beeping changes upon finding the indicium.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 9, 1997
Date of Patent:
December 14, 1999
Assignee:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Jerome Swartz, Howard M. Shepard, Eric F. Barkan, Alexander M. Adelson, Mark J. Krichever, Boris Metlitsky, Edward Barkan
Abstract: A transceiver having a transmitter section and a receiver section. The transmitter section includes a modulator to superimpose information, i.e., data, onto the amplitude of a suitable carrier signal, such as a microwave frequency carrier signal. The receiver section receives data carried by the carrier frequency signal and, in a heterodyning system, downconverts the received signal to a suitable intermediate frequency signal. The modulator and the downconverter are formed on a single semiconductor body, or chip of silicon. The receiver section is adapted to receive signals over a predetermined overall bandwith having frequencies within a plurality of frequency channels, each one of the channels having a predetermined channel bandwidth; and, a sampler for sampling such received signals at a sampling frequency less twice the predetermined bandwidth.
Abstract: Apparatus for reading bar code symbols including a laser light source, an optical component for scanning a reference plane, and a sensor for detecting the light of variable intensity reflected from the target. A processor determines whether the reflected light represents a spatial variation that could represent a bar code and generates an enabling signal and a controller is provided for modifying the light beam in response to the enabling signal.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically aligning a field of view of a two-dimensional bar code symbol reading device with a randomly oriented two-dimensional bar code symbol, wherein the symbol comprises a unique locatable pattern of bars and spaces, located along at least one side of the two-dimensioanl bar code. The invention uses standard omnidirectional scanning pattern for reading one-dimensional bar codes to locate the unique pattern in bar code, and works on the bar code located anywhere in the scanner field of view. The invention determines the angle of rotation of the bar code and the spatial location of the bar code in the scanner's field of view.
Abstract: A wavelength selector in an optical scanner is operative for selecting a first laser beam having a predetermined wavelength to produce a first scan pattern, and for selecting a second laser beam having a different wavelength to produce a second scan pattern. The scan patterns have a different number of scan lines. The selected scan pattern is scanned over indicia, e.g., a bar code symbol, to be read.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 20, 1998
Date of Patent:
November 23, 1999
Assignee:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Mark Krichever, Joseph Campanelli, Lisa Courtney, Peter Fazekas, Joel Kahn, Jerome Swartz, Vladimir Gurevich, Boris Metlitsky
Abstract: A reader for electro-optical reading bar code symbols of reduced height, comprises a light source for generating a light beam along an optical path; a pair of oscillatable reflectors in the optical path; a first drive for oscillating the reflectors at different frequencies that are a ratio of about 10%-30% apart to create a scan pattern; and a second drive for rotating the scan pattern about an axis that is generally orthogonal to the scan pattern.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 10, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 23, 1999
Assignee:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Raj Bridgelall, Joseph Katz, David Goren, Paul Dvorkis, Yajun Li
Abstract: The present invention relates to a checkout system providing for the pre-processing of scannable merchandise in a customer's possession. The system employs a portable data scanner which is in communication with a checkout register. The portable data scanner is used to record in a data file an itemized list of articles reflecting merchandise in the customer's possession prior to reaching the checkout register. The customer is provided with a transaction identifier which can be read by the checkout register to retrieve the data file and finish processing of the transaction, thereby increasing the throughput of the checkout register.
Abstract: A terminal for and method of reading indicia employ a hand-held housing, a scanning initiator, a keyboard and a display. The housing has a main portion and a head portion, both having generally rectangular cross-sections. A scan module is mounted on a circuit board that extends through the housing portions. The module includes a base for supporting a light emitter, another circuit board overlying the base, an opening for a light beam from the emitter to pass, and a planar member orthogonal to the base. A sensor having a field of view is mounted on the module. A drive scans the light beam and/or the field of view to read the indicia.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 14, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 16, 1999
Assignee:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Paul Dvorkis, David Tsi, Howard Shepard
Abstract: The present invention relates to a data processing and retrieval system for use in a self-checkout system utilized in a retail facility. A plurality of customers are provided with a portable data collecting terminal having a bar code reader. Once the data is collected using the portable terminal, a record of the session is uploaded to a customer's data file upon the entry of an authorization code. In the event errors occur during data entry or in the entry of the authorization codes, a customer service desk is provided which assists the customer in completing the transaction.
Abstract: A self-check apparatus is operative for processing a sales transaction of an article having an attached surveillance tag, each attached surveillance tag bearing a coded indicia such as a bar code. The self-checkout apparatus stores an indication of the articles which have been selected for purchase. When the surveillance tag is presented to the apparatus for deactivation, the bar code on the tag is scanned, and a check is made to verify that the surveillance tag is attached to an article which has been selected for purchase, and provided such verification is made, the surveillance tag is deactivated.
Abstract: The .[.ornamental.]. design for a bar code Scanner using the Light Emitting Diode (LED), Optical Scanner assembly and Charge-Coupled Devices (CCD) capable of reading the barcode symbols at the variable distance, as shown and described. The optical passive elements for increasing the depth of field and method of fabricating the scanning head by mass-production techniques are also disclosed.