Abstract: A hand-held, compact fixed mounted or mobile optical symbol scanner assembly has a powered socket into which an active or passive illumination module can be installed. The socket has a recess centered at the optic axis, and the illumination attachment module has a male projection that plugs into this recess. Probe type electrodes on the attachment module fit into female socket electrodes on the socket member, so that power can be derived from the scanner for LEDs in the module. The module may convert the voltage to a level suitable for higher wavelengths, and may provide added control of the external LEDs to extend battery life.

Abstract: A hand-held, compact fixed mounted or mobile optical symbol scanner assembly that employs black-light emitting diodes to illuminate luminescent or fluorescent bar code symbols that are invisibly printed or formed the surface of an article. The scanner employs an array of far blue or UV LEDs or laser diodes. An optional nosepiece or shroud on the distal face of the scanner device limits glare from ambient light and also protects against stray UV light. A filter disposed in advance of the imager device blocks the illuminating wavelength but transmits the luminescent light from the target. With proper selection of optical filters and illumination LED wavelengths, the scanner can be used with inks or dyes that fluoresce when exposed to light in the visible spectrum.

Abstract: An optical symbol scanner assembly has an illumination attachment to facilitate detection and decoding bar code symbols that are printed or formed on mirror-finish surfaces. A hand-held scanner has an array of LEDs or laser diodes on its distal face that produces light to illuminate the symbol. The illumination attachment is mounted on the distal face of the scanner device. At a distal end of the illumination attachment is a diffusion-treated surface such that the illumination leaving the attachment appears as a bar or zone of diffuse light. This is reflected off the bar code, so that the mirror-finish areas appear as the bright or high portions of the symbol and the diffuse areas thereof appear as the dark or low portions. The attachment may be in the form of a block or plate of a clear plastic, or may be formed as a prism.

Abstract: An hand-held optical symbol scanner assembly employs black-light diodes to illuminate luminescent or phosphorescent bar code symbols that are invisibly printed or formed the surface of an article. The scanner has an array of far blue or UV LEDs or laser diodes on its distal face, and a nosepiece or shroud mounted on the distal face of the scanner device. There can be a transparent plate at the distal end of the nosepiece, mounted at an angle to the optic axis, and a filter (yellow or orange) in advance of the imager device within the scanner.

Abstract: An optical symbol scanner assembly includes an illumination assembly to facilitate detection and decoding small 2-D matrix bar code symbols or other optically read symbols that are laser etched or printed on the surface of microelectronics modules or other small articles. A hand-held scanner has an array of LEDs or laser diodes on its distal face that produces light to illuminate the symbol. There is also a focussing lens on the distal face and an imager device positioned behind the lens. The illumination assembly is mounted on the distal face of the scanner device. In this assembly, a lens barrel member has an optic axis aligned with the optic axis of the scanner, and a light pipe is positioned adjacent the lens barrel member. The light pipe has a flat proximal face against the array of LEDs, and an angulated distal face for projecting the illumination at a sharp angle relative to the optic axis. The tip of the illumination assembly is in near contact with the article to read the symbol.

Abstract: An optical symbol scanner assembly includes an illumination assembly to facilitate detection and decoding small 2-D matrix bar code symbols or other optically read symbols that are laser etched or printed on the surface of microelectronics modules or other small articles. A hand-held scanner has an array of LEDs or laser diodes on its distal face that produces light to illuminate the symbol. There is also a focussing lens on the distal face and an imager device positioned behind the lens. The illumination assembly is mounted on the distal face of the scanner device. In this assembly, a lens barrel member has an optic axis aligned with the optic axis of the scanner, and a light pipe is positioned adjacent the lens barrel member. The light pipe has a flat proximal face against the array of LEDs, and an angulated distal face for projecting the illumination at a sharp angle relative to the optic axis. The tip of the illumination assembly is in near contact with the article to read the symbol.