Abstract: An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity has an optical scan module which is adapted to be mounted on a finger of a user. A first peripheral module, preferably in the form of a wrist watch, has a receiver which detects the reflected light. A second peripheral module, mounted on the other arm of the user, communicates with the first module by radio frequency transmission. According to other aspects of the invention, the light detector may be mounted in a housing which is separate and part from the optical scan module. According to another aspect, a laser pointer or scanner is mounted to a ring which is arranged to be worn on a single finger of the user.

Abstract: A hands-free scanning system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, including a housing having a window and an actuatable electro-optical scanner in the housing for projecting a light beam through the window to indicia to be read, for scanning the indicia. The system further detects light of variable intensity that is reflected off the indicia to generate an electrical signal representative of the indicia. The housing is mounted on an arm of an operator and the scanner initiates reading of the indicia upon an audio command (i.e., voice activation) from a user.

Abstract: An optical reader for reading indicia such as bar codes comprises a first and second light source for generating first and second light beams of mutually orthogonal polarization orientations, and a polarized beam splitter for combining the beams without the effects of parallax or vignetting. One of the light sources is a short range light source and the other is a long range light source. The reader may be a scanner or a field of view reader. In addition, an optical reader is provided capable of reading all 2D symbologies comprising a flying spot laser scanner arrangement and a field of view reader. The respective laser sources generate light at different wavelengths and a dichroic filter is provided to allow either system to be used without parallax effects. The laser scanner beam can be used to aim the reader when carrying out field of view reading.

Abstract: A system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, includes a light emitter and optical detector supported by a ring to be worn on a finger of a user. The light emitter generates a scanning light beam which scans the indicia and produces reflected light of variable intensity reflected from the indicia. The optical detector detects the reflected light and produces an electrical signal indicative of the reflected light intensity. The ring is worn in a position such that a light beam emitted by the light emitter is directed away from the user.

Abstract: A handheld data entry terminal includes a housing and a scanning head mounted to the housing for pivotal movement between at least first and second reading positions. The scanning head, when actuated, optically scans an encoded symbol and detects light reflected from the encoded symbol while in either of the first and second reading positions. As desired, a terminal user can establish either one of first and second trigger switches mounted to the housing as a scanning head actuating switch, leaving the other of the trigger switches to be established as a shift key for determining the type of characters entered by alphanumeric data entry keys of a keypad also mounted to the housing in conjunction with an LCD display.

Abstract: Optical scanning of bar code symbols in which light reflected from the scanned symbol is collected with stationary light collection optics and swept across an array of individual light detection elements (e.g., photodetectors). Detection circuitry determines which of the detection elements is receiving the incoming light beam at a given time, and produces an output signal based preferably only on the outputs of those detection elements. The selection of detection elements to be used in forming the output signal may be made by synchronizing the sampling of the detection elements with the scanning movement of the outgoing light beam. Alternatively, the selection may be based on the output level of the detection elements (e.g., by only using outputs that exceed a predetermined threshold).

Abstract: A scan head is adjustably mounted in a ball-and, socket joint on a scan module or housing of an electro-optical system for reading coded indicia. The scan head is movable about three mutually orthogonal axes intersecting within the scan head, thereby steering a light beam emitted from the head and/or steering a field of view of a sensor.

Abstract: A handheld data entry terminal includes a housing and a scanning head mounted to the housing for pivotal movement between at least first and second reading positions. The scanning head, when actuated, optically scans an encoded symbol and detects light reflected from the encoded symbol while in either of the first and second reading positions. As desired, a terminal user can establish either one of first and second trigger switches mounted to the housing as a scanning head actuating switch, leaving the other of the trigger switches to be established as a shift key for determining the type of characters entered by alphanumeric data entry keys of a keypad also mounted to the housing in conjunction with an LCD display.

Abstract: To reduce the size and weight of an optical scanner, the present invention provides a mirrorless beam scanning unit wherein the light emitter itself moves back and forth. In the preferred embodiments the light emitter is a visible light diode (VLD) mounted on the axis of a rotatable shaft. The VLD emits light in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. A lever arm attached to the shaft and an induction motor for moving the arm repeatedly rotate the shaft back and forth through a small rotational arc. The mirrorless scanner is mounted on a finger sized ring. This allows a user to wear the miniature optical scanner on a finger. A separate unit houses the other components of the scanning system, such as the analog signal processing circuitry, digitizer, decoder and any necessary interface to a data processing system. The separate unit can be worn on the user's belt or in a pocket, and a cable connects the separate unit to the ring mounted scanner.

Abstract: In bar code symbol scanning systems employing laser, optical and sensor components a superstructure mounted on a housing and having a movable exit port to adapt the housing to steer a laser beam through the exit port to a particular course. Both right and left handed users are thereby accommodated.

Abstract: Electrical power consumption is saved in a low-cost scanner for reading bar code symbols by oscillating a tall, narrow light collector, e.g., mirror, either by mechanical power along or by a low-power electrical drive. The collecting mirror has a width along the scan direction which is no more than about one-fifth its height, as considered along an orthogonal non-scan direction. A linear array of light emitting diodes is employed to illuminate the symbols.

Abstract: A hand-mounted scanning system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, including a housing having a window and an actuatable electro-optical scanner in the housing for projecting a light beam through the window to indicia to be read, for scanning the indicia. The system further detects light of variable intensity that is reflected off the indicia to generate an electrical signal representative of the indicia. The housing is mounted on a glove worn on an operator's hand and the scanner initiates reading of the indicia upon movement of the operator's hand, or automatically by object recognition.

Abstract: An optical reader/scanning system eliminates the need for and the use of a separate system receiver mounted exteriorly of a laser diode package. Instead, a monitor photodiode within the laser diode package is used as the system receiver. A fresnel lens increases the collection efficiency of the monitor photodiode. The fresnel lens may be mounted interiorly or exteriorly of the laser diode package.

Abstract: Electrical power consumption is saved in a low-cost scanner for reading bar code symbols by oscillating one of the scanner components either by mechanical power alone or by a low-power electrical drive.

Abstract: The scan direction of at least one scan line is changeable in a scanner for reading bar code symbols by selectively reversing a drive.

Abstract: A hands-free scanning system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, including a housing having a window and an actuatable electro-optical scanner in the housing for projecting a light beam through the window to indicia to be read, for scanning the indicia. The system further detects light of variable intensity that is reflected off the indicia to generate an electrical signal representative of the indicia. The housing is mounted on an arm of an operator and the scanner initiates reading of the indicia upon movement of the operator's hand relative to the arm by means of an actuator switch.

Abstract: An arrangement for reading bar code symbols including a laser diode unit having a forwardly-directed laser beam emitted along an optical path toward a symbol for reflection therefrom to generate reflected light, and a rearwardly-directed laser beam, and a monitor photodiode in optical communication with the rearwardly-directed laser beam for producing a signal indicative of the output power of the laser diode. The arrangement also includes a collector exterior to the laser diode unit for collecting at least a portion of the reflected light from the symbol, and for directing the collected portion to the monitor photodiode to generate an information signal descriptive of the symbol.

Abstract: A point-of-sale system includes an infinitely adjustable optical scanner for reading bar code symbols, and a terminal operatively connected to the scanner. A bendable, elongated arm is operative for at least temporarily maintaining the scanner in any selected one of an infinite number of adjusted orientations relative to a work surface over which the symbols pass. A hood is mounted on the scanner for preventing overloading of a scanner photodetector. One scan pattern is selected among a plurality of scan patterns to read the indicia.

Abstract: Multiple scan line pattern generators including scan patterns composed of intersecting lines are superimposed over bar code symbols to be read. At least one of the scan lines is automatically moved closer to and further away from a reader to perform a zooming function to read far-out and close-in symbols.