Abstract: An optical scanning system for scanning indicia having portions of differing light reflectivity has a light emitter assembly, with a single light source, for emitting a beam of light to scan across the indicia. A first optical detector receives light reflected back from a first portion of the indicia. A second optical detector receives light reflected back from a second portion of the indicia. Each of the optical detectors includes a photodetector, a lens and an aperture which is disposed between the photodetector and lens.

Abstract: A bar code scanner employs an electronic means for causing the light beam to scan a bar code symbol, rather than using a mechanical device to generate the scan. A linear array of light sources, activated one at a time in a regular sequence, may be imaged upon the bar code symbol to simulate a scanned beam. Instead of a single linear array of light sources, a multiple-line array may be employed, producing multiple scan lines. The multiple scan lines may be activated in sequence, or activated simultaneously (time-division or frequency-division multiplexed. The multiple scan lines can provide signal enhancement, noise reduction or fault correction if directed to the same bar code pattern. Multiple scan lines may be generated using a single light source and a beam splitter, with mechanical scanning, as well as by the sequentially-activated light sources. Multiple simultaneous scan lines may be employed to generate a raster scan at lower mechanical scan frequency.

Abstract: A circuit for digitizing an analog signal generated from a photoelectric conversion of reflected light when scanning indicia having spatially-separated, light-reflective portions bounded by edges includes a differentiator for differentiating the analog signal. An inverter inverts the differentiated signal to generate an inverted signal. A negative peak detector detects negative amplitude peaks and a positive peak detector detects positive amplitude peaks of the differentiated signal and generate, respectively, a negative and positive peak signal. Adders are used to add the positive peak signal to the inverted signal, and the negative peak signal to the inverted signal. A comparator compares the two summed signals to the differentiated signal and generates pulse signals indicative of the edges of the analog signal. A controller, in response to the pulse signals, generates a digital signal corresponding to the indicia being scanned.

Abstract: A scan module is mounted in a frame within an electro-optical scanner. External shocks from the scanner to the frame are resisted by a plurality of shock mounts. Internal vibrations generated by the scan module are resisted from being transmitted to the frame by a plurality of isolation mounts. Printed circuit boards are mounted on the frame to make a compact, vibration-isolated, shock-protected assembly.

Abstract: A bar code scanning system including an optical scanner for scanning a target symbol, such as a bar code, and generating a corresponding electrical signal. The scanner housing may be mounted to a single finger ring support, which can be cylindrical in shape. The scanner housing may include a scanner activation switch, which may be of the voice recognition type. A transmitter for transmitting the analog or digitized electrical signal, either by wire or RF signal, to a receiver on the user's person is also included in the scanner housing. A decoder is preferably included within the receiver housing. The receiver housing may also have a display for displaying decoded data and a keyboard for inputting entry data. Signal processing circuitry for digitizing the electrical signals generated by the scanner may be included either in the scanner or receiver housing. The receiver housing also may include an RF transmitter for transmitting the decoded data and any entry data to a separate computer unit.

Abstract: An optical reading system for reading optically encoded information represented by a symbol on a target includes a rotational shaft, a light emitter for producing a beam of light to scan a path through a scan field, and a light detector for detecting light reflected from the symbol to read the optically encoded information. A means for oscillating the light emitter and light detector about a longitudinal axis of the rotational shaft is also provided. At least one electrical conductor is connected to each of the light emitter and light detector for providing electrical energy thereto. Each electrical conductor is affixed between distal ends thereof at a point coincident with a point on the longitudinal axis of the rotational shaft.

Abstract: A portable terminal includes a housing and a sensor for sensing different specific positional orientations of the housing. In one positional orientation sensed by the sensor, the terminal performs a first function. In another positional orientation sensed by the sensor, the terminal performs a second function which is different from the first function.

Abstract: A scanning head for reading bar code signals including a laser source producing a beam which is scanned across a symbol to be read by a moving mirror arrangement, and a photodetector responsive to light reflected from the symbol. The signal from the photodetector is digitized and decoded to recover bar code data. The scanning head includes a manually actuated input and display device. A microprocessor in the head controls the operation of the various components. A transmitter and receiver may be located in the scanning head for communication with a central computer, and a battery may be included in the head as a power supply so that the scanning head need not be connected by a cable to a terminal.

Abstract: Optical scanning of bar code symbols in which light reflected from the scanned symbol is collected with stationary light collection optics and swept across an array of individual light detection elements (e.g., photodetectors). Detection circuitry determines which of the detection elements is receiving the incoming light beam at a given time, and produces an output signal based preferably only on the outputs of those detection elements. The selection of detection elements to be used in forming the output signal may be made by synchronizing the sampling of the detection elements with the scanning movement of the outgoing light beam. Alternatively, the selection may be based on the output level of the detection elements (e.g., by only using outputs that exceed a predetermined threshold).

Abstract: A packet data transmission system is used to link a number of remote hand-held data-gathering units such as bar code readers to a central computer which maintains a database management system. Data packets are sent from the remote units by an RF link to intermediate base stations, then sent by the base stations to the central computer by a serial link. A frequency-hopping transmission method is used for the RF link. The remote units and base stations are all synchronized to a repeating pseudo-random sequence of frequencies in a band (902-928 MHz) which allows this type of transmission. The remote hand-held units initiate an exchange using RF transmission to and from the base stations, receiving only during a rigid time window following a transmission from the remote unit. The base stations cannot initiate communication to the remote units, but instead send data to the remote units only as part of the exchange.

Abstract: A system for scanning bar code symbols on articles moving at a given speed senses an article at a predetermined location and determines an orientation of a bar code symbol on the article using an imaging camera. In response to determinations of a symbol location, orientation, size or type, the scanning system adjusts a scanning speed, shape and/or orientation of the light beam pattern and a location of the light beam pattern. The resulting light beam is directed at the bar code symbol location and a signal corresponding to the reflected light beam portion is generated. If the decode is not valid, the bar code symbol is rescanned.

Abstract: In bar code symbol scanning systems employing laser, optical and sensor components, a mirrorless scanner arrangement mounts one or more of these components on a drive for repetitive reciprocating movement either about an axis or in a plane to effect scanning.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for automatically aligning the field of view of a two dimensional bar code reading device with a randomly oriented two-dimensional bar code symbol wherein the symbol comprises a unique pattern located contiguously on at least one side thereof. One method is implemented in a laser based embodiment by scanning the symbol with a laser scan line extending through the border pattern (which is a PDF417 start codeword), measuring the length of the start codeword detected by the scan line, and rotating the laser scan line by a predetermined amount. This is repeated for a predetermined number of times, and the rotation angle at which the codeword length is smallest is determined by performing a least squares fit of the measured codeword lengths and rotation angles. The raster pattern is then rotated to the determined rotation angle so as to be aligned with the symbol for subsequent scanning and decoding.

Abstract: The laser diode of an optical scanning system is located in a separate unit and light therefrom carried to a remote scan head via an optical fiber. This reduces the size and weight of the scan head and reduces the temperature sensitivity of the scan head. The scan head may include an optical sensor for detecting light reflected from scanned symbols. Alternatively, the separate unit may house the sensor, and the same fiber or an additional fiber will collect the reflected light and transmit that light back to the sensor. The invention also encompasses a number of electromagnetic and piezoelectric systems for producing a scanning motion of the beam emitted by the scan head.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a PCMCIA Type II memory card holder assembly for a spread spectrum radio communication card that provides radio frequency interference shielding, electrostatic discharge resistance and heat dissipation. The card holder assembly consists of a multilayer circuit board and a card holder. The multilayer circuit board has a ground plane disposed between a plurality of analog circuit layers and a plurality of digital circuit layers. The ground plane is connected by through vias to ground traces on the surfaces of the circuit board. The card holder consists of a card holder frame in which the memory card is slidably and rotatably mounted so that the ground traces continuously contact the frame, and two outer cover plates which are adhered to the opposing surfaces of the card holder frame.

Abstract: A portable computer and/or scanner system includes a keyboard, another data input device such as an optical scanner, a data processor module and a display. All of these components are arranged on a glove to be worn by a system operator. The system is configured in two housings, the first mounted on a finger brace and the second on a wrist brace, both braces being attached to the glove. The two housings are interconnected by electrical or optical cables. The first housing contains the electro-optical scanner and the second contains a processor module, keyboard and display. The second housing may also contain a transceiver for communication with a host computer, and is positioned on the wrist so that the display is at the top or back of the wrist for easy visualization. The keypad is positioned on the side of the wrist adjacent the thumb so that the operator can use the keypad while watching the display. A push button switch on the finger brace is operated by the thumb to control the scanner.

Abstract: A laser wand for reading optically encoded indicia has a wand shaped housing for housing a light emitter which for emits a focussed laser light beam having a fixed focal point beyond which said light beam diverges. The light beam is directed towards a surface on which the indicia is disposed. A spacer is also provided for alternatively defining different separation distances between the light emitter and indicia. At a first separation distance, the light beam forms a sensing spot of a first size on the surface on which the indicia is disposed. This sensing spot is effective for reading indicia having a first physical characteristic. At a second separation distance, the light beam forms a sensing spot of a second size, which is larger than the first size, on the surface on which the indicia is disposed. This later sensing spot is effective for reading indicia having a second physical characteristic different from the first physical characteristic.

Abstract: A bar code reader capable of working over a wider range of working angle and for a wider range of bar code densities, using improved optics and sensing elements. The optics and sensing elements and/or the associated circuitry are arranged to provide two channels of data derived from the scanned bar code. The two channels have differing resolutions. Analysis of the data from the two channels provides a single decoded result. As the working angle and density vary at least one of the resolutions will be appropriate for sensing all or most of the bar coded data. The data from the channel producing a valid result can be used, or if neither channel produces a valid result by itself, data from each channel can be analyzed and valid portions of the data from both channels combined to produce the single decoded result. The different resolution of the two channels can be provided using different size photodetection areas, e.g., small and large groups of active areas on a sensor array.

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.