Abstract: A scanning arrangement for use in an optical scanner, for example a bar code scanner, comprises an optical element which is mounted for oscillation in two directions to produce a two dimensional scanning pattern. The optical element is preferably relatively light, and is mounted for oscillatory motion in an x direction by the flexing of a spring of relatively high modulus of elasticity. The spring is secured to a mounting bracket which itself is mounted to a stationary frame by a further spring which is arranged to flex and cause oscillation in the y direction. The mounting bracket is relatively heavy in comparison with the mirror, and the second spring has a relatively low modulus of elasticity, thereby producing a y oscillation which is slower than the x oscillation.

Abstract: A plurality of the areas of different light reflectivity of a bar code symbol, or the like, are simultaneously illuminated, using, e.g., a beam of laser light that has an elongated cross-section. The laser light beam is swept over the symbol in a direction transverse to the elongated dimension of the illuminated region so that a two-dimensional area of the symbol is illuminated over time, until the symbol is read. The light that reflects from the illuminated region of the symbol is imaged on a linear sensor array, which is then scanned or read out to produce signals representative of spatial intensity variations of the imaged light along a linear path in the field of view.

Abstract: A system for reading bar code symbols or the like, having a scanner for generating a laser beam directed toward a target and producing a first narrowly spaced apart dual line scanning pattern that enables the user to manually aim and direct the beam to the location desired by the user and a relatively wider spaced apart dual line second scanning pattern that sweeps an entire symbol to be read, and a detector for receiving reflected light from such symbol to produce electrical signals corresponding to data represented by such symbol.

Abstract: An optical scanning module has a metal base, a first circuit board mounted across one end of the metal base and a second circuit board mounted orthogonal to the first circuit board. The metal base supports a light emitter for producing a scanning beam and serves as a heat sink for the emitter. A flexible support attached to the metal base supports a mirror for oscillating motion. The module includes a drive mechanism, typically in the form of a permanent magnet and electromagnet, for producing reciprocal motion of the mirror. A detector included in the module senses light reflected from an indicia scanned by the beam. A flexible electrical cable connects the circuitry on the first and second circuit boards so that circuitry operates together to produce all signals necessary for operation of the scanner module and to process the electrical signals from the detector. Preferred embodiments include a flexible support consisting of a planar spring located between the mirror and one of the magnets.

Abstract: A scanning arrangement contained in a scanning device which is operative for repetitively scanning indicia having parts of different light reflectivity; for instance, such as a bar code symbol through the intermediary of a scanning light or laser beam projected by the scanning arrangement in the form of a scan line which traverses the indicia at high scanning speeds in order to enable the reading of the information contained therein.

Abstract: High speed scanning arrangements in scanners for reading bar code symbols by oscillating a scanner component in single or multi-axis scan patterns.

Abstract: A scanner module for use in a bar code reader has a scanning mirror which is mounted to a bracket by way of leaf-spring, allowing the mirror to oscillate in one direction. The bracket is hung from a stationary chassis by means of two strips of mylar film, allowing the entire bracket to oscillate in the perpendicular direction, thereby providing two dimensional oscillation of the mirror and raster scanning of a light beam reflected from the mirror. The mylar sheets are protected against mechanical shock by pins which pass through holes in the bracket. The pins are slightly smaller than the holes, allowing sufficient clearance for movement of the bracket during normal operation, but preventing too much stress being placed upon the mylar films if the module is dropped. The pins also provide accurate alignment of the bracket with respect to the chassis.

Abstract: A scanner determines whether a target is a bar code symbol and, if so, whether that symbol is one-dimensional or two-dimensional. For two-dimensional symbols, the scanner aligns a scanning pattern with the symbol and expands the scanning pattern to reach only to the top and bottom edges of the symbol, not beyond. The scanner also has a microprocessor-control scanning engine that uses a coil to drive a scanning element and pick up feed back signals from the scanning element. A pulse-width-modulated regulator also provides fast and efficient operation for driving the coil. The scanning engine can also be designed to generate a pattern that precesses across the target, and a powerful interface to the scanning engine allows decoding and control logic to work efficiently with and independently of the scan engine.

Abstract: An optical scanning system for scanning indicia having portions of differing light reflectivity has a light emitter assembly, with a single light source, for emitting a beam of light to scan across the indicia. A first optical detector receives light reflected back from a first portion of the indicia. A second optical detector receives light reflected back from a second portion of the indicia. Each of the optical detectors includes a photodetector, a lens and an aperture which is disposed between the photodetector and lens.

Abstract: A portable terminal includes a housing and a sensor for sensing different specific positional orientations of the housing. In one positional orientation sensed by the sensor, the terminal performs a first function. In another positional orientation sensed by the sensor, the terminal performs a second function which is different from the first function.

Abstract: A laser wand for reading optically encoded indicia has a wand shaped housing for housing a light emitter which for emits a focussed laser light beam having a fixed focal point beyond which said light beam diverges. The light beam is directed towards a surface on which the indicia is disposed. A spacer is also provided for alternatively defining different separation distances between the light emitter and indicia. At a first separation distance, the light beam forms a sensing spot of a first size on the surface on which the indicia is disposed. This sensing spot is effective for reading indicia having a first physical characteristic. At a second separation distance, the light beam forms a sensing spot of a second size, which is larger than the first size, on the surface on which the indicia is disposed. This later sensing spot is effective for reading indicia having a second physical characteristic different from the first physical characteristic.

Abstract: Optical scanning of one- and two-dimensional barcode symbols is carried out first in an aim mode wherein the symbol is scanned using a first scan pattern that is relatively small and dense so as to be visible to the user and thereafter using a second, larger and more robust scan pattern for decoding. During aiming, the symbol is partially decoded to determine type and orientation, and this information is applied to control the angle of the scan pattern produced, the rate at which the scan pattern is increased for optimum decoding, and the ultimate pattern size. Preferred scan patterns, as well as unique scan mechanisms, are described.

Abstract: An optical scanner module for directing a light beam to scan an optically encoded symbol includes an optical element mounted for oscillatory motion to scan the light beam in one direction by a flex element capable of torsional flexure. This oscillatory motion is induced by the interacting magnetic fields established by a permanent magnet mounted to the flex element and an electromagnetic coil driven by an AC current. Bidirectional light beam scanning is achieved by mounting an assembly of the flex element, optical element and permanent magnet to one or more additional flex elements for oscillatory motion to scan the light beam in a second direction. This oscillatory motion is induced by the inclusion of an additional permanent magnet and/or electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A scanner for reading indicia having portions of differing light reflectivity has means for directing a light beam from the scanner towards the indicia and collecting reflected light returning from the indicia. The scanner includes a scanning arrangement with a scanner component, such as a mirror. First and second vibratory means support the scanner component for angular oscillatory movement to scan the light beam in first and second orthogonal scan directions. The scanning arrangement includes read-start means for moving the scanner component to simultaneously scan the light beam in the first and second scan directions.

Abstract: In an optical scanning module, for reading indicia with portions of differing light reflectivity, having a light emitter assembly for emitting a light beam towards the indicia, and a detector for receiving light reflected back from the indicia and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the differing light reflectivity of the indicia, an optical scan module component is provided which includes two circuits on respective circuit boards which are angularly mounted, and preferably orthogonally mounted, to each other. An electrical cable connects the circuits to each other so as to operate together to produce signals to drive the emitter assembly and to process the electrical signal produced by the detector.

Abstract: A scanning arrangement in a scanner incorporating a scan element which is capable of the repetitive high-speed scanning of indicia having parts of different light reflectivity; for example, such as barcode symbols, and more particularly, pertains to the operation of a scanning arrangement of the type which, at high scanning speeds, will enable the scanning of indicia in variable and specified omni-directional scanning patterns. The variable omni-directional scanning pattern is attained through control over the electrical energy input to a read-start device for activating the scan element of the scanner for vibratory motion between first and second pairs of scan end position, in which the energy input is controlled and varied, and the scan element is rotated, in a manner so as to enable the scan element to implement the aforementioned omni-directional scanning patterns over the indicia.

Abstract: A scanning arrangement in a scanner which is operative for repetitively scanning indicia having parts of different light reflectivity; for example, such as bar code symbol, and also pertains to the operation of a scanning arrangement of that type at high scanning speeds in two-dimensional or multi-axes scan patterns. A resonance asymmetric scan element (RASE) in which a scan element, which is preferably constituted of a mirror, is in effect attached along the upper side edges thereof to oscillation-imparting spring-means and not at the center of mass of the mirror as heretofore. This allows for higher frequencies of operation for the scan element at lower encountered stresses in that the fast axis of rotation of the scan element or mirror; in essence, the axis of oscillatory rotation about which the mirror is rotated at high frequencies substantially coincides with its center of mass.

Abstract: A device for reading indicia on a target in which the indicia has regions of differing light reflectivity. The device directs a light beam toward the indicia, and collects reflected light from the indicia. The focus of the light beam is varied to enable the device to read indicia at different working distances, and the maximum scanning angle of the light beam is varied in operative correlation with the focus.

Abstract: In an optical scanner, a component for producing a beam scanning motion is mounted on a first flexible strip or planar spring. One or more additional flexible strips, adjacent the first flexible strip, provide additional support to prevent droop by the first flexible strip under the weight of the scanning component. The additional flexible strips also frictionally damp the low frequency motion of the first flexible strip to prevent interference with scanning due to vibration induced from movement of the scanner by an operator. In two-dimensional scanners, where the component moves in two orthogonal directions at two different speeds, the additional strip type frictional damping is applied to the planar spring which provides the necessary flexible support for motion in the slow speed scanning direction.

Abstract: A height- or width-modulated bar code is decoded by scanning an oblong laser beam across the bar code. Light reflected from the bar code varies in intensity as the laser beam traverses dark and light regions of the bar code. The bar code can be decoded by locating the valleys in the variation of intensity of the reflected light, and comparing the depth of these valleys; the deepest valleys correspond to tall or wide bars and the remainder correspond to short or narrow bars.