Abstract: A data reading system and method, such as for reading optical codes on objects being passed through a read zone, including one or more imagers and at least one illumination module having a reflector housing that includes a baffle structure with a first inner surface and a second inner surface, and a light source disposed at the rear end of the reflector housing and operative to generate illumination out through the baffle structure along an outgoing illumination path, wherein at least one of the inner surfaces of the baffle structure comprises a dielectric material operative to exhibit high reflectivity to light rays from the light source impinging at a high incidence angle and to exhibit low reflectivity to light rays from the light source impinging at a low incidence angle, thereby minimizing stray light impinging on the eyes of the operator while maximizing on-target illumination.

Abstract: A data reading system and method, such as for reading optical codes on objects being passed through a read zone, including one or more imagers and at least one illumination module having a reflector housing that includes a baffle structure with a first inner surface and a second inner surface, and a light source disposed at the rear end of the reflector housing and operative to generate illumination out through the baffle structure along an outgoing illumination path, wherein at least one of the inner surfaces of the baffle structure comprises a dielectric material operative to exhibit high reflectivity to light rays from the light source impinging at a high incidence angle and to exhibit low reflectivity to light rays from the light source impinging at a low incidence angle, thereby minimizing stray light impinging on the eyes of the operator while maximizing on-target illumination.

Abstract: A data reader and method for data reading, such as a barcode scanner, wherein the scan pattern generating optics and other features are optimized for different modes of operation. In a preferred embodiment, different patterns are projected from different apertures in the scanner housing, one scan pattern optimized for handheld operation and the other optimized for fixed operation. Other optimizable features include the presence or absence of an aiming beam, which may be generated from the same laser source as the scan pattern or from another source, and enabling or disabling decoding of the received signal during a portion of a facet wheel rotation. Decoding may be disabled while the scan line(s) for handheld use is generated unless a switch or trigger is actuated.

Abstract: A data reader and method for data reading, such as a barcode scanner, wherein the scan pattern generating optics and other features are optimized for different modes of operation. In a preferred embodiment, different patterns are projected from different apertures in the scanner housing, one scan pattern optimized for handheld operation and the other optimized for fixed operation. Other optimizable features include the presence or absence of an aiming beam, which may be generated from the same laser source as the scan pattern or from another source, and enabling or disabling decoding of the signal received signal during a portion of a facet wheel rotation. Decoding may be disabled while the scan line(s) for handheld use is generated unless a switch or trigger is actuated.

Abstract: A scan module and an optical system such as for a bar code scanner wherein the optical system has an axis of outgoing (illumination) light offset from the axis of collected light, arranged to limit the dynamic range of the collected light and thus the dynamic range within which the bar code scanner detector and signal processor must function. Preferably, the outgoing axis and the collection lens axis are substantially parallel.

Abstract: A data reader and method for data reading, such as a barcode scanner, wherein the scan pattern generating optics and other features are optimized for different modes of operation. In a preferred embodiment, different patterns are projected from different apertures in the scanner housing, one scan pattern optimized for handheld operation and the other optimized for fixed operation. Other optimizable features include the presence or absence of an aiming beam, which may be generated from the same laser source as the scan pattern or from another source, and enabling or disabling decoding of the signal received signal during a portion of a facet wheel rotation. Decoding may be disabled while the scan line(s) for handheld use is generated unless a switch or trigger is actuated.

Abstract: A data reader and method for data reading, such as a barcode scanner, wherein the scan pattern generating optics and other features are optimized for different modes of operation. In a preferred embodiment, different patterns are projected from different apertures in the scanner housing, one scan pattern optimized for handheld operation and the other optimized for fixed operation. Other optimizable features include the presence or absence of an aiming beam, which may be generated from the same laser source as the scan pattern or from another source, and enabling or disabling decoding of the signal received signal during a portion of a facet wheel rotation. Decoding may be disabled while the scan line(s) for handheld use is generated unless a switch or trigger is actuated.

Abstract: A scan module and an optical system such as for a bar code scanner wherein the optical system has an axis of outgoing (illumination) light offset from the axis of collected light, arranged to limit the dynamic range of the collected light and thus the dynamic range within which the bar code scanner detector and signal processor must function. Preferably, the outgoing axis and the collection lens axis are substantially parallel.

Abstract: A data reader and method for data reading, such as a barcode scanner, wherein the scan pattern generating optics and other features are optimized for different modes of operation. In a preferred embodiment, different patterns are projected from different apertures in the scanner housing, one scan pattern optimized for handheld operation and the other optimized for fixed operation. Other optimizable features include the presence or absence of an aiming beam, which may be generated from the same laser source as the scan pattern or from another source, and enabling or disabling decoding of the signal received signal during a portion of a facet wheel rotation. Decoding may be disabled while the scan line(s) for handheld use is generated unless a switch or trigger is actuated.

Abstract: A scan module and an optical system such as for a bar code scanner wherein the optical system has an axis of outgoing (illumination) light offset from the axis of collected light, arranged to limit the dynamic range of the collected light and thus the dynamic range within which the bar code scanner detector and signal processor must function. Preferably, the outgoing axis and the collection lens axis are substantially parallel.

Abstract: A data reader and method for data reading, such as a barcode scanner, wherein the scan pattern generating optics and other features are optimized for different modes of operation. In a preferred embodiment, different patterns are projected from different apertures in the scanner housing, one scan pattern optimized for handheld operation and the other optimized for fixed operation. Other optimizable features include the presence or absence of an aiming beam, which may be generated from the same laser source as the scan pattern or from another source, and enabling or disabling decoding of the signal received signal during a portion of a facet wheel rotation. Decoding may be disabled while the scan line(s) for handheld use is generated unless a switch or trigger is actuated.

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 scan module and an optical system such as for a bar code scanner wherein the optical system has an axis of outgoing (illumination) light offset from the axis of collected light, arranged to limit the dynamic range of the collected light and thus the dynami9c range within which the bar code scanner detector and signal processor must function. Preferably, the outgoing axis and the collection lens axis are substantially parallel.

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.

Abstract: A scan module and an optical system such as for a bar code scanner wherein the optical system has an axis of outgoing (illumination) light offset from the axis of collected light, arranged to limit the dynamic range of the collected light and thus the dynamic range within which the bar code scanner detector and signal processor must function. Preferably, the outgoing axis and the collection lens axis are substantially parallel.

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 scan module and an optical system such as for a bar code scanner wherein the optical system has an axis of outgoing (illumination) light offset from the axis of collected light, arranged to limit the dynamic range of the collected light and thus the dynamic range within which the bar code scanner detector and signal processor must function. Preferably, the outgoing axis and the collection lens axis are substantially parallel.

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 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 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.