Abstract: An optical reader for reading indicia such as bar codes comprises a first and second light source for generating first and second light beams of mutually orthogonal polarization orientations, and a polarized beam splitter for combining the beams without the effects of parallax or vignetting. One of the light sources is a short range light source and the other is a long range light source. The reader may be a scanner or a field of view reader. In addition, an optical reader is provided capable of reading all 2D symbologies comprising a flying spot laser scanner arrangement and a field of view reader. The respective laser sources generate light at different wavelengths and a dichroic filter is provided to allow either system to be used without parallax effects. The laser scanner beam can be used to aim the reader when carrying out field of view reading.

Abstract: A bar code scanner comprises a radiant energy source for generating a radiant energy beam of a given configuration, a detector for generating output electrical signals indicative of radiant energy incident thereon, an optical system having a focus portion for transmitting segments of the radiant energy beam in separate optical paths extending from the scanner to a bar code to be scanned and a scan portion for collecting radiant energy transmitted by the focus portion as modified by the bar code and applying the same to the detector and a decoder for decoding the output electrical signals of the detector to provide indication of information contained in the bar code.

Abstract: An optical scanner such as a bar code scanner includes a laser diode to create the scanning laser beam. Laser diodes are characteristically astigmatic, and when passed through a rotationally symmetric lens the beam typically forms a waist both in the x (scanning) direction and in the y (perpendicular) direction. The width of the beam envelope in the x direction is adjusted by means of a conventional lens. The width of the beam envelope in the y direction is adjusted by the use of a non-planar mirror, preferably a cylindrical mirror, as the rotating or oscillating element.

Abstract: Commercial transactions are expedited at a point-of-transaction site by providing a customer with advance notification of the price of selected goods, by providing a workstation with an adjustable, multi-positionable scanner head, by providing a field-portable scanner arrangement worn on the customer's body, and by automatically charging one's credit account with the price of the selected goods.

Abstract: A region of light-reflective indicia is visibly illuminated in order to locate the indicia relative to a hand-held of a system for electro-optically reading the indicia. The region is formed by aiming optics and a light source for generating a visible aiming beam. The region can be single spot, a pair of spots, or a line.

Abstract: An optical scanning system is provided for producing a signal representative of a spatial distribution of indicia having different degrees of reflectivity to light, such as a bar code. The system includes an optical scanner for scanning beam of light over the spatial distribution of indicia and for producing an electrical signal corresponding to changes in the degree of reflectivity of the indicia. A digitizer, responsive to detections in a predetermined characteristic of the produced electrical signal is provided. The digitizer converts the detections into digital words, such digital signals having a plurality of bits. The digitizer includes a timing generation circuit for producing a pulse in response to each one of the detections with a time duration representative of the degree of reflectivity of the indicia as the beam of light. A decoder converts the time duration of the pulse into the digital word having a plurality of bits. An enhancement filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combined range laser scanner and method for electro-optically reading indicia such as bar codes having parts of different light reflectivity which utilizes two laser diode optical illumination systems optimally focused for different working ranges. A first laser illumination system is optimized for contact operation and has a range extending to approximately two feet. The second laser illumination system is optimized for longer range scanning from approximately two to seventeen feet, and the two laser scanning systems are integrated into one combined range laser scanner. The combined range laser scanner incorporates therein logic circuitry which enables either laser illumination system as required fro the particular scanning application. Depending upon which laser illumination system is selected, the laser spot speed (e.g. amplitude of the drive signal for the scanning motor) is controlled to limit the frequency of received light signals to that of standard signal processing and decoding circuits.

Abstract: An electro-optical scanning device reads indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, including bar codes and matrix arrays such as UPSCODES. The scanning device includes laser or light emitting diodes for emitting at least two light beams of the same or different wavelengths. The light beams may be visible to the human eye, and the beams are optically directed to form one or two scan lines to scan portions of a symbol. Dual photosensor(s) or a charge coupled device detects light reflected from the different portions of the symbol. The charge coupled device can be used to detect either reflected ambient light or the reflected visible light from the beams emitted by the diodes. The photosensors generate signals corresponding to the detected light which can be processed simultaneously. The device is particularly useful in reading two dimensional or more complex symbols. Methods for reading indicia are also described.

Abstract: A compact scan module is mounted within a hand-held terminal, and includes two printed circuit boards orthogonal to each other. The circuit boards carry interconnected electrical circuits which drive individual electrical components within the module. Scanning is initiated by an initiator on the terminal. A keyboard and a display are mounted on the terminal.

Abstract: A bar code scanner and method for scanning a bar code symbol that splits a light beam using a liquid crystal device and directs the split light beams toward a bar code symbol using a moveable mirror. The light reflected by the symbol from each of the split light beams is added summed and converted to an electrical signal indicative of the bar code symbol. The electrical signal is processed to decode the bar code symbol and, if the decoding is unsucessful, the liquid crystal device is changed to affect the number of split light beams incident on the bar code symbol.

Abstract: A printing and reading system prints records having two-dimensional erasable bar codes. The bar code is printed on the record in erasable ink and can be implemented in PDF417 format. The system reads the two-dimensional erasable bar code located on the record, erases it using erasing fluid, dries it, and prints a new two-dimensional erasable bar code in place of the previous two-dimensional erasable bar code.

Abstract: A plurality of the areas of differing light reflectivity of a bar code symbol or the like are simultaneously illuminated using, for example, a beam of light that has an elongate cross-section. The light beam is swept over the symbol to be read in a direction transverse to the elongated dimension of the illuminated region so that a two-dimensional area of the symbol is illuminated over time. The reflected light is sensed by a 1D CCD array. A microprocessor within the scanner provides visual feedback to aid a user in aligning the device, and also provides for a selectable aspect ratio for the image, a selectable image resolution and size, a selectable aspect ratio of the illumination, and a selectable pixel size. All of these options may be programmed within the microprocessor, enabling the device to read a large variety of two-dimensional symbols.

Abstract: A miniature high speed bar code scanning element is detachably mounted within an industry standard PCMCIA card for implementation in personal computing devices.

Abstract: A scanner determines whether a target is a bar code symbol and, if so, whether that symbol is one-dimensional or two-dimensional. For two-dimensional symbols, the scanner aligns a scanning pattern with the symbol and expands the scanning pattern to reach only to the top and bottom edges of the symbol, not beyond. The scanner also has a microprocessor-control scanning engine that uses a coil to drive a scanning element and pick up feed back signals from the scanning element. A pulse-width-modulated regulator also provides fast and efficient operation for driving the coil. The scanning engine can also be designed to generate a pattern that precesses across the target, and a powerful interface to the scanning engine allows decoding and control logic to work efficiently with and independently of the scan engine.

Abstract: An optical scanning assembly turns an optical element in opposite circumferential directions about a longitudinal axis along which a light beam from a light source is emitted. The optical element and the light source are mounted on individual supports between which torsion elements are connected. An electrical coil arrangement interacts with a permanent magnet to effect the turning movement.

Abstract: In an optical scanning module, for reading indicia with portions of differing light reflectivity, having a light emitter assembly for emitting a light beam towards the indicia, and a detector for receiving light reflected back from the indicia and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the differing light reflectivity of the indicia, an optical scan module component is provided which includes two circuits on respective circuit boards which are angularly mounted, and preferably orthogonally mounted, to each other. The two circuit boards are electrically connected to each other so as to operate together to produce signals to drive the emitter assembly and to process the electrical signal produced by the detector. The first and second circuit boards each form at least a portion of a peripheral side of the scanning module and thus, defining a wall of a chamber having the light emitter assembly disposed therein, and wherein the scanning light beam moves relative to the first and the second circuit boards.

Abstract: An elongated, flexible, generally planar spring used for mounting an oscillatable scanning component in an electro-optical scanning module for reading coded indicia is rendered resistant to over flexing during scanning by receiving a pin with radial clearance in an oversized opening, thereby attenuating the effects of external shock forces to the module.

Abstract: Optical scanning of one and two-dimensional barcode symbols is carried out using a variety of ergonomic scanner embodiments which can each be used either in a hand-held mode or in a fixed-mode. In certain embodiments, hand-held scanners are described which can if required be easily positioned in a number of desired orientations on a work surface. Other embodiments disclose point-of-sale arrangements incorporating removable barcode scanners that can, where necessary, be removed from the point-of-sale unit and used by the checkout operator to scan a large or bulky item in a "point-and-shoot" mode.