Abstract: Method and apparatus for scanning items with a compact scanner which is mountable onto and/or integral with a pointing instrument. The scanner module may be equipped with an aiming beam for additional help in directing the scan line toward the object to be read. The pointing instrument may be a pen or pencil or alternately a pen-based computer stylus for use with an integrated data terminal module operably connected to the scanner module. Security for preventing separation of the module may be provided by a wireless link.

Abstract: A tilt sensor for use in an automatic leveling device includes a level vial with a level bubble, the vial including a metal base member. The metal base has provisions for mounting the sensor device to an instrument or object to be leveled, and optical as well as capacitive sensing arrangements are disclosed for sensing the position of the level bubble and providing a signal to be used by a motor that brings the instrument or object to level.

Abstract: A multiple window data reading device and method for reading symbols such as bar codes through each window, including sensing conditions from each window and adjusting optical parameters for controlling data reading control through each of the windows.

Abstract: A system which is preferably employed in a laser alignment instrument produces up to five orthogonal beams from a single laser diode beam. In one embodiment the optics take advantage of the elliptical shape of the beam from a laser diode which when collimated produces a plurality of orthogonal beams by reflection off a plurality of 45°-angled reflective surfaces intercepting outer portions of the beam. In one preferred embodiment a solid reflective element was four 45°-angled facets to produce four beams from outer portions of a preferably non-elliptical beam, and a fifth orthogonal beam is produced by transmission of a central portion of the beam through the element. The element can be solid glass, or it can be glass or other material with a central hole.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for scanning items with a compact scanner which is mountable onto and/or integral with a pointing instrument. The scanner module may be equipped with an aiming beam for additional help in directing the scan line toward the object to be read. The pointing instrument may be a pen or pencil or alternately a pen-based computer stylus for use with an integrated data terminal module operably connected to the scanner module. Security for preventing separation of the module may be provided by a wireless link.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for scanning items with a compact scanner which is mountable onto and/or integral with a pointing instrument. The scanner module may be equipped with an aiming beam for additional help in directing the scan line toward the object to be read. The pointing instrument may be a pen or pencil or alternately a pen-based computer stylus for use with an integrated data terminal module operably connected to the scanner module. Security for preventing separation of the module may be provided by a wireless link.

Abstract: A multiple window data reading device and method for reading symbols such as bar codes through each window, including sensing conditions from each window and adjusting optical parameters for controlling data reading control through each of the windows.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating two or more visible lines of light on a floor for the purpose of facilitating the layout process used in construction. The apparatus comprises a light beam generator producing two or more beams of light at 90° to each other and in a plane parallel to the plane of the floor. Subsequently cylinder lenses on the apparatus spread the beams and position them on the floor or target providing visible reference lines.

Abstract: A system which is preferably employed in a laser alignment instrument produces up to five orthogonal beams from a single laser diode beam. In one embodiment the optics take advantage of the elliptical shape of the beam from a laser diode which when collimated produces a plurality of orthogonal beams by reflection off a plurality of 45.degree.-angled reflective surfaces intercepting outer portions of the beam. In one preferred embodiment a solid reflective element was four 45.degree.-angled facets to produce four beams from outer portions of a preferably non-elliptical beam, and a fifth orthogonal beam is produced by transmission of a central portion of the beam through the element. The element can be solid glass, or it can be glass or other material with a central hole.

Abstract: An instrument for use in alignment, plumb and leveling functions includes a laser diode projecting a beam through a liquid contained in a vessel. Floating in the liquid is a compensator float which includes telescope optics so as to diminish the angle of rays leaving the telescope as compared to rays entering the telescope. The laser beam passes through the liquid and through the telescope, exiting from a window at the top or side of the instrument. By selecting the proper relationship between the telescope's magnification and the index of refraction of the liquid, the instrument is made to correct for small tilt angles of its housing. Various embodiments are disclosed for projecting upward or downward plumb beams, level beams or both.

Abstract: An object recognition system comprises a sensing apparatus for collecting light reflected from objects presented at a point-of-sale machine. The sensing apparatus includes a mechanism, such as a holographic disk or diffraction grating, for separating the color components of the light reflected from the object and directing, the color components onto an optical detector such as a two-dimensional imaging array, or a one-dimensional imaging array or single photo-sensitive optical cell used in conjunction with a rotating mirror. A pattern recognizer compares the spectral response, including the locations, amplitudes and widths of energy peaks of the different color components, against premeasured characteristics of known objects in order to classify the object. The weight of the object can be measured with a scale, and the density of the object calculated, with the weight and density being used by the pattern recognizer to further classify the object.

Abstract: A system for checking alignment of laser beam projecting instruments, and for enabling accurate calibration of an instrument, includes a high resolution video camera positioned to receive a laser beam from the instrument. The spot from the detected laser beam is compared on a video monitor to a spot or target position showing the location corresponding to accurate alignment of the beam. Multiple orthogonal beams from an instrument may be directed to the same video sensor using mirrors. By use of the described system the need for long beam paths to check beam alignment accuracy is avoided.

Abstract: A tool resembling a carpenter's level is used in establishing a precise level line and projecting an existing line using a visible laser beam projector in the same instrument. A manual selector device is provided for switching from a laser beam parallel to a reference surface to one which self-levels in one axis. Methods for switching between modes are described as well as a tilt compensator.

Abstract: Accessories are disclosed for use with a laser tool which may or may not be self-leveling. The accessories include one or more diffraction elements, effective to receive the incoming beam and produce a plane of diverging laser beams. In preferred embodiments the diffraction elements are self-leveling. When the diverging beams are directed against a surface such as a floor, wall or ceiling, a series of discrete spots define a visible reference line useful in construction layout. The spots themselves may each locate the position of a fastener to be installed, for example, by giving the approximately correct spacing for reference of the user. In another embodiment, lenticular arrays are used to create beams which diverge in a plane and overlie one another to form a visible reference line on a wall or other surface. The line preferably is plumb or level and in one embodiment the user can select among two or more arrays to form a plumb or level line of selected length.

Abstract: A system which is preferably employed in a laser alignment instrument produces up to five orthogonal beams from a single laser diode beam. The optics take advantage of the elliptical shape of the beam from a laser diode to produce a plurality of masked, parallel collimated beams which are then reflected by combinations of 45.degree.-angled and 90.degree.-angled mirrors, some fully reflective and some partially transmissive, to produce the orthogonal beams.

Abstract: A beam angle adjustment element for a measurement instrument projecting a collimated beam, such as a laser construction layout instrument, utilizes a single optic at the beam exit of the instrument for final tilt adjustment. The optic, a low magnification telescope formed of a single, integral optical component, has an annular edge in contact with a frame of the instrument. Tilting of the weak telescope in the frame seat adjusts the angularity of the collimated light beam for very finely tuning the beam direction. For example, with a particular weak telescope the telescope can be tilted 5 degrees to obtain a 3.6 minute adjustment. The optical element may be fixed in place in the seat with glue, or a screw threaded mechanism can be provided for adjustment and retention of the optic in place.

Abstract: A plumb laser beam generator includes an internal self-leveling feature to assure the projection of a substantially plumb beam despite tilt of the instrument's housing. Tilt compensation is achieved in preferred embodiments using the angular deflection of a spring due to gravity along with the compensating angular magnification of a telescope which moves pendulously by support on the spring. A laser diode of the instrument is mounted fixedly in the housing, and the telescope resides above the diode and collimating optics, the telescope either hanging by a spring or supported at its base by a spring. The pendulous telescope preferably is motion-damped and includes motion limiting and shock absorbing devices to prevent damage due to sudden acceleration or dropping.

Abstract: A system preferably in the form of an accessory module corrects for tilt angles of a distance measuring laser projecting instrument. The housing of the module includes a compensating mirror mounted on a pendulum which bends with tilt angle by one-half the amount of the housing tilt, so as to reflect the outgoing beam to truly horizontal. In a preferred embodiment a fixed mirror is also included so that the distance measuring instrument can be laid or held approximately horizontally so that its generally horizontal beam is first reflected by the fixed mirror up to the pendulous compensating mirror. The distance measuring instrument preferably has an internal correction to subtract the additional optical path length induced by the use of the accessory module. This may be activated by a switch on the module or automatically when the module is attached to the distance measuring instrument.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for scanning items with a compact scanner which is mountable onto and/or integral with a pointing instrument. The scanner module may be equipped with an aiming beam for additional help in directing the scan line toward the object to be read. The pointing instrument may be a pen or pencil or alternately a pen-based computer stylus for use with an integrated data terminal module operably connected to the scanner module. Security for preventing separation of the module may be provided by a wireless link.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) bar code scanner such as in common use in retail stores includes provision for reading bar coded redemption coupons (or other bar coded documents redeemable for value) in a manner secure from a human operator. Integration of functions between the POS scanner and the coupon reader varies with different embodiments described. Through software associated with bar code decoding logic, a comparison is made between information on a validation coupon and information on items presented for purchase, and a decision is made as to whether the redemption coupon is valid and redeemable in this transaction. In one embodiment, the bar code scanner simply receives the redemption coupon face down on the product scanner window, and integrated decode logic of the scanner identifies the bar code as belonging to a redemption coupon, then makes the comparison and validation of the coupon for the particular transaction.