Abstract: A non-mechanical switch for actuating a light beam scanning device disposed within a device housing. The device housing has a first area for emitting a scanning light beam from the device. The switch is formed of a light source and a light detector disposed within the device housing, the light source emits light through a second area on the device housing. The light detector is adapted to receive light emitted from the light source and reflected back through the second area toward the light detector by an object disposed outside of the device housing. The light detector has an output signal that is coupled by electronic circuitry to a light beam scanner within the light beam scanning device. The electronic circuitry is adapted to selectively actuate the light beam scanning device in response to the output signal from the light detector. The first area on the device housing for emitting the scanning light beam from the device is separate from the second area on the device housing.

Abstract: A compact beam scanning information readout device and method for reading bar code or other information requires little or no orientation of the information to be scanned by virtue of its raster or omni directional scan capabilities. Only a single mirror is needed to generate two dimensional scans. A wide range of scan speeds are also possible for simple or complex one or two dimensional patterns. Scanning in two dimensions may be done with independent and continuous control of the scan in each dimension. The scan patterns may be electronically controlled to instantly achieve various orientations ranging from a straight line rotated about a point to continuously rotating complex patterns. A light collector, light detector, processor, and means of signal transmission are also included. In one embodiment the device is packaged in a housing resembling a wand or a thin flashlight and in another embodiment the device is packaged in a ceiling mountable housing which will not interfere with counter top work space.

Abstract: A non-contact light beam scan system small enough to fit into a hand holdable wand, pen or calculator size terminal incorporates a novel scan element which can scan at rates of ten to hundreds of scans per second in one or two dimensions. The device is immune to low frequency vibrations and can scan large angles of 60 degrees or more. Automatic trigger circuitry enables it to be used equally well in hand held or fixed mount applications. The depth of operating range is extended with a novel focal system which is integrated with the light source. The entire scanning system for generating a beam, focusing the beam electronically, scanning the beam, collecting light from a target and converting it into electrical signals, and automatically generating a trigger signal can work with industry standard low or high speed bar code decoders.

Abstract: A scanning device for projecting a light beam against a target having information contained thereon which is to be scanned by the light beam; and in particular relates to a compact laser scanning device, such as a bar code projecting a laser beam, and which device incorporates a drive component such as a scanning motor for oscillating a scanning element or mirror at a high rate of speed within a specified angular range so as to cause the light or laser beam which impinges against the information on the target to be rapidly swept across the information in a scanning sequence. In particular, the structure is directed to improving the linearity of the oscillatory or "dithering" motion imparted by the scanning motor to the scanning element or mirror. Also contemplated is a novel method of utilizing the "dithering" or oscillating motion of the scanning motor for effectuating an improvement in the quality of the scan by the scanning device.

Abstract: A high speed non-contact beam scanning device sized and shaped to provide the ergonomic benefits of a pen or wand, yet can scan a wide angle moving beam across an information-bearing target in one or two dimensional scan patterns such as lines, rasters or other patterns in order to read information therefrom. The device is well suited for reading one or two dimensional bar-code or other printed matter. In order to achieve the high density optical packaging necessary for its high performance to size benefits the device employs a novel in-line or "axial" gyrating, or "axial" scan element. The axial scan element can accept an input light beam at one end and cause it to emerge from its opposite end as a scanned beam, propagating in the same general forward direction it had upon entering the element. Reflected light, which carries information contained on the target, is collected by an internal non-imaging light concentrator and is processed by signal processing electronics.

Abstract: A modular bill validator is disclosed consisting of easily separable modules and sub-modules. The main modules consist of a validation module and a removable, lockable or sealable stacker module. The validation module has slide out sub-modules can function independently without a stacker module or can accept replaceable stacker modules of different styles and sizes. The stacker module comprises a novel low power mechanism with moveable stacker bars to effect stacking of bills rather than fixed rails and a pusher plate thereby achieving an appreciable saving of space over prior art devices and permitting greater stacking capacity for bills. Various security options as well as improved sensing and validation techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-contact light beam scan system small enough to fit into a hand holdable wand, pen or calculator size terminal incorporates a novel scan element which can scan at rates of ten to hundreds of scans per second in one or two dimensions. The device is immune to low frequency vibrations and can scan large angles of 60 degrees or more. Automatic trigger circuitry enables it to be used equally well in hand held or fixed mount applications. The depth of operating range is extended with a novel focal system which is integrated with the light source. The entire scanning system for generating a beam, focusing the beam electronically, scanning the beam, collecting light from a target and converting it into electrical signals, and automatically generating a trigger signal can work with industry standard low or high speed bar code decoders.

Abstract: A device for providing angular displacement of an axis in a direction selected from the X or Y direction or rotational movement about the Z direction with respect to the axis. The device comprises a magnetic core element which produces a magnetic field and defines a Z axis. The core element is capable of displacement in the X and Y directions respectively, and also rotational movement about the Z axis. A coil device proximate the core element introduces a distortion force in the core element in at least one of the X and Y directions or about the Z axis as desired a mounting device suspends the core element with respect to the coil means to permit relative movement therebetween in response to the distortion force.

Abstract: Non-Imaging beam conditioning optical elements are disclosed which allow nearly full power usage from a light source, in a beam scanning information readout device such as a bar code reader. Light which would have been otherwise wasted by using stop apertures as in prior art scanning devices, is utilized efficiently by apportioning a greater amount of the light to the far out targets and less to the close in targets, effectively solving the problem of signal amplitude variation over a long working range. At the same time the novel optical elements provide multiple focal ranges which may be made to overlap thereby providing small beam cross sections for near and distant targets, significantly extending the depth of scanning range over prior art scanners. Amplification and signal processing of received light signals is simplified thereby eliminating the need for complex and fussy AGC amplifiers and limiters to deal with both strong and weak signals from close and distant targets respectively.

Abstract: A compact beam scanning information readout device and method for reading bar code or other information requires little or no orientation of the information to be scanned by virtue of its raster or omni directional scan capabilities. Only a single mirror is needed to generate two dimensional scans. A wide range of scan speeds are also possible for simple or complex one or two dimensional patterns. Scanning in two dimensions may be done with independent and continuous control of the scan in each dimension. The scan patterns may be electronically controlled to instantly achieve various orientations ranging from a straight line rotated about a point to continuously rotating complex patterns. A light collector, light detector, processor, and means of signal transmission are also included. In one embodiment the device is packaged in a housing resembling a wand or a thin flashlight and in another embodiment the device is packaged in a ceiling mountable housing which will not interfere with counter top work space.

Abstract: A high speed non-contact beam scanning device sized and shaped to provide the ergonomic benefits of a pen or wand, yet can scan a wide angle moving beam across an information-bearing target in one or two dimensional scan patterns such as lines, rasters or other patterns in order to read information therefrom. The device is well suited for reading one or two dimensional bar-code or other printed matter. In order to achieve the high density optical packaging necessary for its high performance to size benefits the device employs a novel in-line or "axial" gyrating, or "axial" scan element. The axial scan element can accept an input light beam at one end and cause it to emerge from its opposite end as a scanned beam, propagating in the same general forward direction it had upon entering the element. Reflected light, which carries information contained on the target, is collected by an internal non-imaging light concentrator and is processed by signal processing electronics.

Abstract: A device for providing angular displacement of an axis in a direction selected from the X or Y direction or rotational movement about the Z direction with respect to the axis. The device comprises a magnetic core element which produces a magnetic field and defines a Z axis. The core element is capable of displacement in the X and Y directions respectively, and also rotational movement about the Z axis. A coil device proximate the core element introduces a distortion force in the core element in at least one of the X and Y directions or about the Z axis as desired a mounting device suspends the core element with respect to the coil device to permit relative movement therebetween in response to the distortion force.

Abstract: A scanning device for projecting a light beam against a target having information contained thereon which is to be scanned by the light beam; and in particular relates to a compact laser scanning device, such as a bar code projecting a laser beam, and which device incorporates a drive component such as a scanning motor for oscillating a scanning element or mirror at a high rate of speed within a specified angular range so as to cause the light or laser beam which impinges against the information on the target to be rapidly swept across the information in a scanning sequence. In particular, the structure is directed to improving the linearity of the oscillatory or "dithering" motion imparted by the scanning motor to the scanning element or mirror. Also contemplated is a novel method of utilizing the "dithering" or oscillating motion of the scanning motor for effectuating an improvement in the quality of the scan by the scanning device.

Abstract: A compact beam scanning information readout device and method for reading bar code or other information requires little or no orientation of the information to be scanned by virtue of its raster or omni directional scan capabilities. Only a single mirror is needed to generate two dimensional scans. A wide range of scan speeds are also possible for simple or complex one or two dimensional patterns. Scanning in two dimensions may be done with independent and continuous control of the scan in each dimension. The scan patterns may be electronically controlled to instantly achieve various orientations ranging from a straight line rotated about a point to continuously rotating complex patterns. A light collector, light detector, processor, and means of signal transmission are also included. In one embodiment the device is packaged in a housing resembling a wand or a thin flashlight and in another embodiment the device is packaged in a ceiling mountable housing which will not interfere with counter top work space.

Abstract: A compact high efficiency electro-optical information collection system is ideally suited for application as an optical front-end receiver in miniature bar code reading systems, optical local area networks (LANs) used in computer communications and other such equipment. The invention includes a single component high efficiency photoelectric converter with nonimaging light collection element, integral filter, photo diode, and mounting means all combined in a miniature rugged package.

Abstract: A miniature device for moving a reference plane or point on an axis in rotational or x-y directions, particularly useful for two dimensional beam scanning. The device consists of a ferromagnetic ring surrounding a magnetic core which is flexibly mounted and suspended within it. Electric current at various frequencies is supplied to coils wrapped about and mounted within the ring. The core provides a magnetic field within the ring which defines its coordinates with respect to the ring and its coils and interacts with current applied to the coils to produce torque. The flexible mount suspending the core within the coils permits relative movement therebetween in response to the varying current.

Abstract: A coin routing gate for accepting coins in a coin handling mechanism requires only a low power electromagnet to hold the gate in an accept position. In the absence of power to the electromagnet, the gate passively rejects coins by gravity alone. The gate is arranged to accomplish minimization of the required holding force to minimize electrical power requirements thereby making the device suitable for low electrical power contexts such as coin operated telephone service.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in identification of coins is disclosed in which a coin is passed through the electromagnetic field of an inductive coil wound on a ferrite core having two poles, at least one of which has a diameter less than the diameter of the smallest coin in the coin set to be identified. The poles are separated along the coin path by a distance approximately equal to the diameter of the largest coin in the coin set to be identified. The coin's effect on the electromagnetic field is measured when the coin is between poles and when it is adjacent each pole face.