Abstract: An improved, rotatably articuable scanner for reading and decoding bar codes in connection with the sale of retail articles is disclosed. An ultra-compact, lightweight, low-cost, self-contained, visible laser diode (VLD) bar code scanner is provided with a great range of functionality and versatility. A scan head housing an optical subsystem is rotatably connected with a tower housing. The heat-generating electronic components are located in the tower housing away from heat-sensitive optical components located in the scan head. The scanner presents an extremely small footprint, and provides for its mounting in virtually any orientation and location. The optical subsystem uses a basket-type mirror array configured around a rotating planar folding mirror, driven by a compact cup (brushed) DC motor. The scanner features a short optical beam path.

Abstract: A data reading system and method which renders the return signal strength of light reaching the detector more uniform over greater distances and/or positions relative to the collection system and including an optical correction module or corrective optical element(s) is placed in the light collection path to the detector whereby the characteristics of light coming from sources in different locations and/or distances relative to the collection lens may be changed. In one embodiment, an optical element such as a diffusion element or aperture is placed between a collection lens and the detector such that the amount of collected light from a far field target reaching the detector is maximized and the amount of collected light from a near field target reaching the detector is selectively inhibited rendering the total light intensity on the detector more uniform as between the far field signal and the near field signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading bar codes or other images while reducing or eliminating the need for self-generated illumination. An image reader is preferably embodied as a handheld unit and comprises an efficient optical collection system including an aperture with a high aspect ratio and/or a multi-focal lens or lenses. An optically transmissive spacer affixed to the front of the handheld unit allows ambient light to be collected at close range, and a diffuser may be used to reflect ambient light from the handheld unit to provide additional illumination at close range. A masked CCD detector with rectangular pixels receives collected light and is coupled to an adaptive exposure circuit for preventing saturation of the CCD detector at high illumination levels. A correlated double sampling circuit coupled to the adaptive exposure circuit rejects common mode noise and allows operation in lower light levels.

Abstract: An optical system and method for data reading. The preferred system is directed to a scanner which includes a multiple beam source, such as a laser diode and a beam splitter which generates first optical beam and a second optical beam, the first optical beam being directed toward one side of a scanning optical element such as a rotating polygon mirror and to a first mirror array, the second optical beam is being simultaneously directed toward a second optical element such as another side of the rotating polygon mirror and then to a second and a third mirror array. The first mirror array is configured to generate a scan pattern through a vertical window and the second and third arrays are configured to generate scan patterns passing through a horizontal window. In combination, the three mirror arrays generate three sets of scan lines so as to scan the bottom and all lateral sides of an object being passed through the scan volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading bar codes or other images while reducing or eliminating the need for self-generated illumination. An image reader is preferably embodied as a handheld unit and comprises an efficient optical collection system including an aperture with a high aspect ratio and/or a multi-focal lens or lenses. An optically transmissive spacer affixed to the front of the handheld unit allows ambient light to be collected at close range, and a diffuser may be used to reflect ambient light from the handheld unit to provide additional illumination at close range. A masked CCD detector with rectangular pixels receives collected light and is coupled to an adaptive exposure circuit for preventing saturation of the CCD detector at high illumination levels. A correlated double sampling circuit coupled to the adaptive exposure circuit rejects common mode noise and allows operation in lower light levels.

Abstract: An optical system and method for data reading. The preferred system is directed to a scanner which includes a multiple beam source, such as a laser diode and a beam splitter which generates first optical beam and a second optical beam, the first optical beam being directed toward one side of a scanning optical element such as a rotating polygon mirror and to a first mirror array, the second optical beam is being simultaneously directed toward a second optical element such as another side of the rotating polygon mirror and then to a second and a third mirror array. The first mirror array is configured to generate a scan pattern through a vertical window and the second and third mirror arrays are configured to generate scan patterns passing through a horizontal window. In combination, the three mirror arrays generate three sets of scan lines so as to scan the bottom and all lateral sides of an object being passed through the scan volume.

Abstract: An optical system and method for data reading. The preferred system is directed to a scanner which includes a multiple beam service, such as a laser diode and a beam splitter which generates first optical beam and a second optical beam, the first optical beam being directed toward one side of a scanning optical element such as a rotating polygon mirror and to a first mirror array, the second optical beam is being simultaneously directed toward a second optical element such as another side of the rotating polygon mirror and then to a second and a third mirror array. The first mirror array is configured to generate a scan pattern through a vertical window and the second and third mirror arrays are configured to generate scan patterns passing through a horizontal window. In combination, the three mirror arrays generate three sets of scan lines so as to scan the bottom and all lateral sides of an object being passed through the scan volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding an otherwise variable parameter in a scanner approximately constant over a desired scan volume to improve the ability to compensate for unwanted variations in the amplitude modulation depth of a signal is provided, the signal being determined from collected light reflected from a target. In one embodiment, the time domain impulse response of the opto-mechanical system is the parameter which is held approximately constant by appropriately positioning the beam waist so that the beam spot size diverges approximately linearly along the beam axis within the scan volume.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer probe is provided which exhibits an angular design, having a body section containing a drive motor and a transducer section. The axes of the two sections are oriented obliquely with respect to each other such that the motor section may be grasped in the manner of a writing instrument while the transducer section is pressed against a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the two sections are coupled together by a flexible bellows and two crystals are mounted on a shaft in the transducer section, one for sector scan imaging and the other for Doppler flow measurement.