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 shutter for use in an electro-optical scanning device having an aperture and a CCD imager is provided. The shutter comprises a light barrier movable between a first position blocking light from passing through the aperture and a second position enabling light to pass through the aperture. The light barrier has a magnetic portion. An inductive coil is disposed relative to the magnetic portion of the light barrier to cause movement of the light barrier between the first and second positions by application of an electric current to the inductive coil. The inductive coil is disposed concentrically around the aperture, and the light barrier comprises a magnet that is coupled to a torsional wire disposed within the inductive coil. The torsional wire has a bias that returns the light barrier from the second position to the first position. Alternatively, the light barrier is moveable either pivotally, rotationally, or axially relative to the aperture, and further comprises a corresponding iris.

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 apparatus for maintaining a constant optical path length when scanning objects at different distances. The apparatus has a reading device that reads data carrying symbology on an object being scanned, and an optical system having a plurality of optical paths between the object being scanned and the reading device, where each of the plurality of optical paths has a different path length. The apparatus also has a size detector that determines a dimension of the size of the object being scanned and outputs a signal based on the dimension, and a selecting device that selects one of the plurality of optical paths of the optical system based on the signal output by the size detector to maintain an optical path length between the object being scanned and the reading device within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A symbology reader which reduces the effects of specular reflection. A plurality of illumination sources emit light toward a target object. A first polarization filter receives the unpolarized light from the illumination sources and transmits only light polarized in a first direction. Light reflected from the target object travels back to the reader where it is received by a second polarizer which is oriented to block light polarized in the first direction and transmit only light polarized in a second direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction. Non-specularly reflected light reflected from the target object is largely transmitted by the second polarizer to a detector assembly within the symbology reader. In one embodiment the polarization filters are part of a window which covers an output aperture of the reader. The polarization filters are implemented as discrete pieces of laminar polarizing film attached to a transparent window base.

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.