Abstract: A bar code reader having two reading windows, i.e., a bottom window and a side window. An increased number of scanning lines are used for constituting scanning patterns for scanning bar codes, and the arrangement of the optical system is contrived to decrease the whole size of the bar code reader and, particularly, to decrease the depth of the bar code reader. A source of laser light, a splitter for splitting the laser beam emitted from the laser light source into two, a reflection mirror for transmitting one beam from the splitter to a polygon mirror, the polygon mirror which rotates to scan the incident laser beam, a mirror system for emitting the beam reflected by the polygon mirror through the reading window, and a focusing member for focusing the beam reflected by the bar code onto a detector that detects the beam reflected by the bar code, are arranged on the same line in the bar code reader. By using a concave mirror, furthermore, the beam reflected by the bar code is folded back to one detector.

Abstract: An arragement for mounting a housing to a table. A mounting member includes a first wall adapted to be inserted into a housing and a second wall connected to the first wall and adapted to be secured to the table. The housing includes a guide for guiding the first wall into the housing. A positioning tab is provided on the second wall parallel to the first wall.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus, such as a bar code scanner, for reading 360 degrees of, e.g., tray commodities. A first scanning pattern is emitted almost in the horizontal direction to an installation surface of the apparatus, and a second scanning is pattern emitted from an upper portion to a lower portion of the apparatus, toward the installation surface, via a window provided vertical to the installation surface.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) device, such as an optical scanner, reduces the beam diameters of two light beam components having been emitted from a common light source and split by an optical beam splitter. The optical scanner includes a light source emitting a light beam, a light beam splitter splitting the emitted light beam, a polygon mirror reflecting the split light beam components into mutually different directions, and groups of mirrors. The groups of mirrors are provided for each reading window, allowing the light beam components to be emitted therefrom. The emitted light beam components can then impinge on an object, whereupon the optical scanner detects by detectors and reads a bar code located on the object. The optical scanner also includes beam shaping devices, one of which is placed between the light source and light splitting device and the other of which is placed in one of the optical paths followed by one of the light beam components.

Abstract: A bar code reader having two reading windows, i.e., a bottom window and a side window. An increased number of scanning lines are used for constituting scanning patterns for scanning bar codes, and the arrangement of the optical system is contrived to decrease the whole size of the bar code reader and, particularly, to decrease the depth of the bar code reader. A source of laser light, a splitter for splitting the laser beam emitted from the laser light source into two, a reflection mirror for transmitting one beam from the splitter to a polygon mirror, the polygon mirror which rotates to scan the incident laser beam, a mirror system for emitting the beam reflected by the polygon mirror through the reading window, and a focusing member for focusing the beam reflected by the bar code onto a detector that detects the beam reflected by the bar code, are arranged on the same line in the bar code reader. By using a concave mirror, furthermore, the beam reflected by the bar code is folded back to one detector.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus, such as a bar code scanner, for reading 360 degrees of, e.g., tray commodities. A first scanning pattern is emitted almost in the horizontal direction to an installation surface of the apparatus, and a second scanning is pattern emitted from an upper portion to a lower portion of the apparatus, toward the installation surface, via a window provided vertical to the installation surface.

Abstract: A light source module has a laser diode, and a circuit board. The circuit board includes the laser diode, a driver circuit for the laser diode, and a connector for receiving a power supply for driving the laser diode from an electric power source. A lens and an aperture shapes the laser beam emitted from the laser diode. A housing made of electrical insulating material contains the lens, the aperture and the circuit board except for a portion of the circuit board where the connector is mounted.

Abstract: An arrangement for locking first and second housing halves, adapted to connect to each other, includes a pin provided on the first housing and a locking member, with a pair of arms which are provided on the second housing to engage and hold the pin when the first and second housings are connected.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) device, such as an optical scanner, reduces the beam diameters of two light beam components having been emitted from a common light source and split by an optical beam splitter. The optical scanner includes a light source emitting a light beam, a light beam splitter splitting the emitted light beam, a polygon mirror reflecting the split light beam components into mutually different directions, and groups of mirrors. The groups of mirrors are provided for each reading window, allowing the light beam components to be emitted therefrom. The emitted light beam components can then impinge on an object, whereupon the optical scanner detects by detectors and reads a bar code located on the object. The optical scanner also includes beam shaping devices, one of which is placed between the light source and light splitting device and the other of which is placed in one of the optical paths followed by one of the light beam components.

Abstract: A light source module has a laser diode, and a circuit board. The circuit board includes the laser diode, a driver circuit for the laser diode, and a connector for receiving a power supply for driving the laser diode from an electric power source. A lens and an aperture shapes the laser beam emitted from the laser diode. A housing made of electrical insulating material contains the lens, the aperture and the circuit board except for a portion of the circuit board where the connector is mounted.

Abstract: An arrangement for locking first and second housings, adapted to connect to each other, includes a pin provided on the first housing and a locking member, with a pair of arms which are provided on the second housing to engage and hold the pin when the first and second housings are connected.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus which reduces operator workload at a checkout counter and configured to be inexpensive to manufacture. In particular this optical scanning apparatus is designed so that an operator can scan merchandise without tilting these commodities. Therefore, to use this optical scanning apparatus the operator spots the bar code and slides the merchandise along the checkout counter. The optical scanning apparatus emits laser scanning patterns from the side of the counter and parallel to its surface as well as from above. Therefore whether the bar code is located on the side or top of the merchandise the apparatus is able to read it without tilting the merchandise. This is particular useful when dealing with liquid products, such as beverages or soups, and delicate products, such as cakes. In the case of liquid products, tilting them would run the risk of spilling them on the counter. In the case of delicate products, tilting them runs the risk of disturbing their appearance.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus includes an optical scanning unit for emitting upward a scanning light beam to be used to optically read information on an article; and a supporting mechanism for supporting the optical scanning unit so that the optical scanning unit is maintained in a space over a surface of a counter in a state where a distance between the optical scanning unit and the surface of the counter is a predetermined length.

Abstract: A bar code reader having two reading windows, i.e., a bottom window and a side window. An increased number of scanning lines are used for constituting scanning patterns for scanning bar codes, and the arrangement of the optical system is contrived to decrease the whole size of the bar code reader and, particularly, to decrease the depth of the bar code reader. A source of laser light, a splitter for splitting the laser beam emitted from the laser light source into two, a reflection mirror for transmitting one beam from the splitter to a polygon mirror, the polygon mirror which rotates to scan the incident laser beam, a mirror system for emitting the beam reflected by the polygon mirror through the reading window, and a focusing member for focusing the beam reflected by the bar code onto a detector that detects the beam reflected by the bar code, are arranged on the same line in the bar code reader. By using a concave mirror, furthermore, the beam reflected by the bar code is folded back to one detector.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus includes an optical scanning unit for emitting upward a scanning light beam to be used to optically read information on an article; and a supporting mechanism for supporting the optical scanning unit so that the optical scanning unit is maintained in a space over a surface of a counter in a state where a distance between the optical scanning unit and the surface of the counter is a predetermined length.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus includes an optical scanning unit for emitting upward a scanning light beam to be used to optically read information on an article; and a supporting mechanism for supporting the optical scanning unit so that the optical scanning unit is maintained in a space over a surface of a counter in a state where a distance between the optical scanning unit and the surface of the counter is a predetermined length.

Abstract: An optical scanner for optically scanning a bar code includes a housing having a window formed on a selected surface thereof, a first scanning system, housed in the housing, for emitting a first scanning beam from the housing through the window and a second scanning system, housed in the housing, for emitting a second scanning beam from the housing through the window. The first scanning beam moves in a first scanning pattern and the second scanning beam moves in a second scanning pattern which is different from the first scanning pattern. Additionally, the second scanning pattern may be used for scanning a bar code having a selected special form.

Abstract: An optical scanner suitable for use with a bar code reader includes a light source for generating a laser beam, a laser beam scanning device, a scanning pattern generating optical system, and a signal light condensing optical system for deflecting scattered signal light scattered by an object to be read to introduce the light to a photo-detector. The scanning pattern generating optical system or signal light condensing optical system includes strips of planar reflective holograms disposed substantially in parallel with each other in one plane to produce a reflection beam having an angle of reflection which is different from an angle of incidence of the laser beam thereon. Another embodiment discloses a condenser integrated with one of plane mirrors for deflecting the scan beam to form a hologram module of the reflection type. The scanner is a miniaturized apparatus as a result of the reflection holograms.

Abstract: An electrophotography apparatus for performing exposure and recording of information onto a charged photosensitive body using a line head consisting of an array of a large number of EL elements, developing the information-recorded photosensitive body, and transferring a developed image onto a recording medium, includes a current detection unit for detecting peak values of AC currents flowing through electrodes of the EL elements when the EL elements emit light, and a discriminator for discriminating based on current detection outputs from the current detection means whether or not the EL elements are defective. In this arrangement, the EL elements of the line head are caused to emit light, peak values of AC currents flowing through the electrodes of the EL elements are detected, and whether or not the EL elements are defective is discriminated based on the detected current peak values.

Abstract: An optical scanner suitable for use with a bar code reader includes a light source for generating a laser beam, a laser beam scanning device, a scanning pattern generating optical system, and a signal light condensing optical system for deflecting scattered signal light scattered by an object to be read to introduce the light to a photo-detector. The scanning pattern generating optical system or signal light condensing optical system includes two reflective holograms disposed substantially in parallel with each other to produce a reflection beam having an angle of reflection which is different from an angle of incidence of the laser beam thereon. The scanner is a miniaturized apparatus as a result of the reflection holograms.