Abstract: A mirror module, comprising a collection mirror comprising an opening and a first reflective surface lying in a first plane, and a fold mirror coupled to said collection mirror, said fold mirror comprising a second reflective surface lying in a second plane, the second plane not being parallel to the first plane. In addition, said fold mirror may extend behind said collection mirror at an angle, wherein said angle is established so that a laser impinging on said fold mirror is reflected through said opening in said collection mirror.

Abstract: A display device displays images with reduced glare from external incident light. The device includes a back light located on a bottom surface of the display device to provide internal light. Moreover, the device includes an internal circular X-polarizer located external to the back light to circularly polarize internal light. In addition, the device includes a mirror to reflect external incident light. Furthermore, the device includes a liquid crystal display located external to the mirror and the internal circular X-polarizer to display images. The device also includes an external circular X-polarizer located external to the liquid crystal display to circularly polarize external incident light, and absorb reflected external incident light and polarized internal light.

Abstract: Laser power control arrangements interrupt power to a laser used in electro-optical readers upon detection of an over-power condition not conforming to preestablished standards to meet prevalent safety standards.

Abstract: Laser power control arrangements interrupt power to a laser used in electro-optical readers upon detection of an over-power condition not conforming to preestablished regulatory standards. In one embodiment, during an operational mode, a difference between laser drive currents at two operating points is compared to a difference between laser drive currents at the same two operating points during a calibration mode. The over-power condition is recognized when the difference during the operational mode exceeds the difference during the calibration mode by a predetermined amount. In another embodiment, the laser is only energized to emit the beam at a reduced power level well below regulatory standards for staring at even if a motor drive failed.

Abstract: The combination of a rooftop optical element and a soft edge aperture stop, as well as the introduction of a negative spherical aberration in a positive focusing lens, improve working distance and depth of focus in both moving beam and imaging readers for electro-optically reading indicia such as bar code symbols, especially for close-in symbols, and moreover tend to reduce undesirable light intensity modulation in the beam profile thereby improving reader performance.

Abstract: A cylindrical lens is axially moved along an optical axis to control a shape and size of a laser beam spot that is scanned across a symbol to be read by an electro-optical reader.

Abstract: A portable electo-optical scanner for reading a target bar code having a plurality of bar code elements. The portable scanner includes: a housing supporting a scanning module and an exit window. The scanning module scans the target bar code with a scanning beam and collecting reflected light returning from the bar code. The scanning module includes: a beam source emitting a scanning beam; photodetector circuitry; and a retro-reflective oscillating mirror including a light collection mirror and an integral scanning or beam directing mirror. The scanning mirror is positioned to intersect the scanning beam and direct the scanning beam through the exit window. Oscillation of the oscillating mirror causes the scanning beam to be repetitively scanned along a scanning direction across the target bar code. The light collection mirror has a field of view that follows the scanning beam.

Abstract: Working range is increased in an electro-optical reader or an imager for reading indicia by applying a voltage to a variable lens to change the shape of a liquid therein.

Abstract: Heavy metals such as cadmium are not employed in optical bandpass filters employed in electro-optical readers to comply with governmental regulations concerning endangering the environment.

Abstract: Laser power control arrangements interrupt power to a laser used in electro-optical readers upon detection of an over-power condition not conforming to preestablished standards to meet prevalent safety standards.

Abstract: Different aiming light patterns are generated to enable an imaging reader to be pointed directly at a target by employing non-interferometric optical components that are fabricated by molding and machining techniques.

Abstract: Heavy metals such as cadmium are not employed in optical bandpass filters employed in electro-optical readers to comply with governmental regulations concerning endangering the environment.

Abstract: An intelligent gain selection circuit replaces the gain set by an automatic gain control circuit in an electro-optical reader for reading indicia, such as bar code symbols, with a larger gain where specular reflections, high contrast edges, or other noise operative to produce dominant high voltage peaks in an analog signal generated by a sensor in the reader, are detected.

Abstract: A bar code reader indicator feature gives visible indication that a bar code function has been performed. The feature is integrally molded with the exit window to simplify the design and reduce cost. The feature can diffuse light from an existing indicator light within the reader or the scanning light beam can be directed to impinge upon an area of the exit window not normally in the beam path when the function has been performed to illuminate the feature.

Abstract: A portable electo-optical scanner for reading a target bar code having a plurality of bar code elements. The portable scanner includes: a housing supporting a scanning module and an exit window. The scanning module scans the target bar code with a scanning beam and collecting reflected light returning from the bar code. The scanning module includes: a beam source emitting a scanning beam; photodetector circuitry; and a retro-reflective oscillating mirror including a light collection mirror and an integral scanning or beam directing mirror. The scanning mirror is positioned to intersect the scanning beam and direct the scanning beam through the exit window. Oscillation of the oscillating mirror causes the scanning beam to be repetitively scanned along a scanning direction across the target bar code. The light collection mirror has a field of view that follows the scanning beam.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a relatively miniature scan module, for example, a small retroreflective scan engine. An exemplary scan module comprises a chassis, a drive coil, a scan motor, a laser, a mirror module and a sensor. The mirror module can comprise, in an embodiment, a single piece fold/collection mirror module. Additionally, in an embodiment, the scan motor can comprise a molded spring module.

Abstract: The combination of a rooftop optical element and a soft edge aperture stop, as well as the introduction of a negative spherical aberration in a positive focusing lens, improve working distance and depth of focus in both moving beam and imaging readers for electro-optically reading indicia such as bar code symbols, especially for close-in symbols, and moreover tend to reduce undesirable light intensity modulation in the beam profile thereby improving reader performance.

Abstract: The combination of a rooftop optical element and a soft edge aperture stop, as well as the introduction of a negative spherical aberration in a positive focusing lens, improve working distance and depth of focus in both moving beam and imaging readers for electro-optically reading indicia such as bar code symbols, especially for close-in symbols, and moreover tend to reduce undesirable light intensity modulation in the beam profile thereby improving reader performance.

Abstract: A plastic lens includes refractive and diffractive optical apparatus configured to produce optothermal changes substantially canceling each other over a predetermined working temperature range to render the plastic lens substantially athermalized over the range.

Abstract: Laser power control arrangements interrupt power to a laser used in electro-optical readers upon detection of operating conditions not conforming to preestablished standards, and adjust power to the laser to enhance reader performance without violating prevalent safety standards.