Abstract: A symbology reader employing an area detector and LEDs mounted at various angular orientations on a printed circuit board for illuminating a target object in an object plane. Each of the LEDs is oriented according to a desired beam vector to illuminate a particular area of the object plane so that the sum of the beams produces a desired illumination pattern. In one embodiment, the illumination pattern is selected to be inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the area detector to provide an even response over an entire image area. The individual LEDs are angularly aligned by an alignment board having an alignment aperture for each LED. The LEDs are mounted onto the printed circuit board with their body portions spaced apart from the board and supported by semi-rigid wire leads soldered to the board. Each of the alignment holes of the alignment board is laterally offset slightly from the mounting position of the LED.

Abstract: A symbology reader employing an area detector and LEDs mounted at various angular orientations on a printed circuit board for illuminating a target object in an object plane. Each of the LEDs is oriented according to a desired beam vector to illuminate a particular area of the object plane so that the sum of the beams produces a desired illumination pattern. In one embodiment, the illumination pattern is selected to be inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the area detector to provide an even response over an entire image area. The individual LEDs are angularly aligned by an alignment board having an alignment aperture for each LED. The LEDs are mounted onto the printed circuit board with their body portions spaced apart from the board and supported by semi-rigid wire leads soldered to the board. Each of the alignment holes of the alignment board is laterally offset slightly from the mounting position of the LED.

Abstract: A method and window for providing a clean aperture at the reading face of a symbology reader. The window includes a layered structure including laminar sheets of optically transmissive material overlaying a window base and the adjacent laminar sheets. Each laminar sheet is releasably bonded to the window base. In use, when the outermost laminar sheet is damaged, it is peeled away to reveal the clean sheet beneath. In one embodiment, each laminar sheet includes an integral grasping tab projecting outwardly. The grasping tabs in each successive sheet are offset to permit a user to grasp the single tab corresponding to the outermost laminar sheet to peel it away. In one embodiment, a flexible boot covers an edge portion of the window to protect the window structure and retain the laminar sheets from being inadvertently peeled off. In one embodiment, the grasping tabs are replaced with recesses to provide access for gripping subsequent sheets.

Abstract: A symbology reader having a pair of optical sources for producing cursor beams. The cursor beams are emitted from two spaced apart locations on the reader and angled with respect to an image direction of a detector assembly within the reader. The cursor beams intersect at a desired object distance to form a composite image indicating that the reader is positioned an appropriate distance from a target object. In one embodiment, multiple composite images are formed. The composite images are spaced apart to delineate the extent of an object field of the detector assembly. In one embodiment, the optical sources are LEDs concealed beneath a mounting platform and emitting light transversely to the image direction. In this embodiment, turning mirrors redirect the light forward of the reader to form the cursor beams.

Abstract: A symbology reader having a replaceable window element. The window element is user replaceable and incorporates varying features for varying applications. By removing and replacing a window element, the user may provide a clear, uncontaminated surface through which light may enter or exit the reader. In some embodiments, the window element includes focusing elements for defining a target plane for a detector assembly within the reader. In one such embodiment, the reader also includes additional focusing elements for focusing spotter beams to aid a user in aligning the reader to the defined target plane. The window element also incorporates polarizers and color selected filters for optimizing the reader for specific applications. In one embodiment, the reader includes a protective rubber boot to provide shock protection and to releasably retain the window element in attachment to the reader. In an alternative embodiment, the reader includes a releasable tab to hold the window element in position on the reader.

Abstract: A symbology reader employing an area detector and LEDs mounted at various angular orientations on a printed circuit board for illuminating a target object in an object plane. Each of the LEDs is oriented according to a desired beam vector to illuminate a particular area of the object plane so that the sum of the beams produces a desired illumination pattern. In one embodiment, the illumination pattern is selected to be inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the area detector to provide an even response over an entire image area. The individual LEDs are angularly aligned by an alignment board having an alignment aperture for each LED. The LEDs are mounted onto the printed circuit board with their body portions spaced apart from the board and supported by semi-rigid wire leads soldered to the board. Each of the alignment holes of the alignment board is laterally offset slightly from the mounting position of the LED.

Abstract: A hand-held symbology reader having a handle for grasping by a user and a head attached to the handle for adjustable angular movement of the head relative to the handle between the plurality of angular orientations. The head is selectively retained in a selected one of a plurality of angular orientations. The head is rotatable about three axes of rotation relative to the handle. The reader head has a rectangular pixel array that defines a rectangular imaging area, with the pixel array having a first position with a horizontal dimension of the pixel array that is greater than the vertical dimension of the pixel array, and a second position with the horizontal dimension that is less than the vertical dimension of the pixel array. The reader head is moveable such that the pixel array can be rotated between the first and second positions by rotating the reader head relative to the handle while the handle remains in a fixed position.

Abstract: A multi-compartment outer housing, positioned in an ambient fluid having an ambient pressure P, has a compressor developed fluid flow through the outer housing compartments. A multi-chamber inner housing is positioned in a housing compartment having a fluid pressure greater than the ambient pressure P. This inner housing has a sealed equipment chamber, a still-fluid chamber, and an optically transparent wall between the equipment and still-fluid chambers. The still-fluid chamber has a restricted port at its distal or lee end which places the still-fluid chamber in fluid communication with the housing compartment. The inner housing is oriented relative to a fluid egress port in this housing compartment so that the optically transparent wall, the equipment chamber and the fluid egress port are placed in a line-of-sight alignment through the restricted port of the still-fluid chamber.