Abstract: A scan board module includes a printed circuit board on which optical and scanning components are mounted in an optically-aligned relationship. The module is mountable in hand-held heads and protected from damage due to external shock by shock mounts, or in workstations which are either directly of indirectly connected to a cash register-type terminal or hand-held terminal.

Abstract: Two-dimensional information such as a written signature can be captured and subsequently reconstructed by using an electro-optical scanner. A multi-row preamble code and a multi-row postamble code flank the signature, and each code has a row identifier for identifying which row is being scanned by a scan line emitted by the scanner, as well as start/stop data for identifying when each scan line traverses the boundaries of a space containing the signature.

Abstract: A portable scanning head emits and receives light from a light emitting diode to read symbols, such as bar-code symbols. The optics within the scanner are operative for focusing a light beam and the view of a light sensor in different planes exteriorly of a scanner housing. Imaging means are provided in the unit for imaging a viewing window. The viewing window has an area smaller than that of the scan spot. The system can employ an LED as a light source and tolerate the relatively large-sized (on the order of millimeters) scan spot without sacrificing reading performance since the photodiode "sees" only that portion of the scan spot visible through the viewing window.

Abstract: A narrow-bodied, single- and twin-windowed, hand-held, laser scanning head for reading bar code symbols includes at least one window mounted at the rear region of the head, and through which either the incident beam going to the symbol and/or the reflected beam returning from the symbol, passes unobstructedly and exteriorly of, and past, the front and intermediate body regions of the head. A field-replaceable laser tube arrangement, a laser tube and method of making the same, an arrangement for and method of controlling a scanning system, optical passive elements for increasing the depth of field, a trigger protective device, and a one-piece support bench and method of fabricating the same by mass-production techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lightweight hand-held scanning device for repetitively scanning a laser light source having a laser light generating means and at least one high speed scanning motor controlled by a motor drive circuit which adjusts the amplitude and presets the frequency of oscillation of a high speed scanning motor. The frequency and amplitude regulation is accomplished by using an open loop control system that supplies two opposing stator windings of the scanning motor with a pair of periodic triangular current waveforms that are 180 degrees out of phase for energizing an de-energizing the stator coils respectively. The energizing and de-energizing of the opposing stator coils causes variations in the magnetic strength of these coils, thereby causing the rotor to alternately align itself with the energizing stator coil which results in a smooth oscillating motion of the motor shaft.

Abstract: Multiple scan line pattern generators including scan patterns composed of intersecting lines are superimposed over bar code symbols to be read. At least one of the scan lines is automatically moved closer to and further away from a reader to perform a zooming function to read far-out and close-in symbols.

Abstract: A multi-position trigger switch on-board hand-held laser scanning heads controls aiming and reading of a symbol in separate operational states, all without using discrete aiming light subsystems. A head is aimable at the symbol during a first operational state wherein a static or dynamic aiming is illuminated on the symbol. During a second operational state, a dynamic reading zone extends across the symbol to read the same. The same laser beam is employed to illuminate both zones.

Abstract: A system for representing and recognizing data in machine readable graphic image form in which data to be encoded is entered into the system and a processor encodes the data into a two-dimensional pattern of graphic indicia and generates transfer drive signals representative of the indicia. A transferring device such as a printer transfers an image of the two-dimensional pattern of graphic indicia onto a carrier such as a card or paper document in responsde to the transfer drive signals. A recognition device converts the image on the carrier into electrical signals representative of the graphic indicia and decodes the signals into output signals representative of the data for further processing or use.

Abstract: A scanning head includes a keyboard and a display respectively mounted at rear and front regions of the head. An outgoing laser beam exits a window positioned between the keyboard and the display, and travels over the display. A transceiver and a printer are also mounted on the head.

Abstract: A signal processor digitizer circuit is disclosed for reading bar code symbols by detecting the times at which a scanning light spot moves from a space onto a bar code symbol or moved from a bar code signal onto a space. The novel signal processor digitizer circuit obtains all of its information for digitizing, false transition rejections, and margin cleaning from the first derivative of an analog signal produced by a photodetector detecting the scanning light spot. The original analog signal and a second derivative signal are not used which results in several advantages. Since the original analog signal is not needed, the signal differentiator circuit is placed at a very early stage in an amplifier string. Additional amplification stages can then be used to amplify the differentiated signal until it is large enough to be digitized. This results in two benefits.

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 compuer 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. Direct sequence spread spectrum modulation is used for the RF link. 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: Electrical power consumption is saved in a low-cost scanner for reading bar code symbols by oscillating one of the scanner components either by mechanical power alone or by a low-power electrical drive.

Abstract: A bar code scanner is disclosed employing a laser source and scan mirror for generating a light beam for scanning a bar code symbol or the like. The working range for distance between the scanner and the symbol is extended by placing an optical element in the path between the laser source and the scan mirror. This optical element may be a figure of rotation such as an axicon. A slit may be positioned downstream of the axicon to block the characteristic concentric rings produced in the beam in areas perpendicular to the scan line.

Abstract: A portable laser diode scanning head, aimable at each symbol to be read, emits and receives non-readily-visible laser light, and is equipped with a trigger-actuated aiming light arrangement for visually locating and tracking each symbol. A compact laser diode optical train and an optical folded path assembly, as well as an interchangeable component design and an integral window construction for the head also are disclosed. An embodiment that employs a Fresnel optical element and an embodiment that discloses a curved scanning/connecting mirror are also disclosed.

Abstract: The scan pattern, scan direction of at least one scan line, the intensity of a light beam, and the scan rate are individually or collectively changeable in a scanner for reading bar code symbols.

Abstract: A narrow-bodied single-and twin-windowed hand-held, laser scanning head for reading bar code symbols includes at least one window mounted at the rear region of the head, and through which either the incident beam going to the symbol and/or the reflected beam returning from the symbol, passes unobstructedly and exteriorly of, and past, the front and intermediate body regions of the head. A field-replaceable laser tube arrangement, a laser tube and method of making the same, an arrangement for and method of controlling a scanning system, optical passive elements for increasing the depth of field, a trigger protective device, and a one-piece support bench and method of fabricating the same by mass-production techniques are also disclosed.

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. Direct sequence spread spectrum modulation is used for the RF link. The remote hand-held units initiate an exhange 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.