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 package sorting and/or tracking system or workstation including a high performance data reader or barcode scanner, a real time system control computer, user interface devices, a superstructure to which all hardware is attached providing hands-free scanning operation at each work station, and a real-time communication link with the host computer system for transferring information scanned from the parcels or configuring the scanning system with up-to-the minute routing information. A scale system weighs each parcel to assure compliance to specifications. An optional feedback system to error-proof the sorting operation whereby the scanning system is configured with a sensing device on each of the bins to which a parcel may be sorted. Based on the tracking information read from the barcode label and the routing information provided by the host computer system, the scanning system instructs the operator to place the parcel in a particular bin.

Abstract: A scanner with multiple modes of operation producing two or more distinct scan patterns, with each scan pattern optimized for different modes of operation with a manually actuated switching mechanism whereby the operator may readily select a desired scan pattern. The switching mechanism may operate by mechanically moving one set of scan pattern generating optics out of the optical path of the scanner and/or moving another set of scan pattern generating optics into the optical path. Alternatively, the different sets of scan pattern generating optics may remain stationary while the optical path of the scanner is moved. In either case the operator may choose from among two or more distinct scan patterns the scan pattern most appropriate to the scanning application at hand.