Abstract: A hand-held bar code reader including a housing bounding an interior, a window, a generally planar printed circuit board mounted in the interior, and an optical scanning assembly mounted on the board and including a scanner for directing a light beam through the window at an acute angle relative to the board. A scanning element of the reader is manufactured by spacing a first and second support element apart by a gap bounded by edges of the support elements; injection molding a curable, elastomeric material in flowable form over the edges and into the gap; and allowing the curable, elastomeric material to cure and bond to the edges, and form a flexible hinge in the gap for enabling movement of the support elements relative to one another both away from and toward a stable rest initial position.

Abstract: An integrated scanner for scanning a barcode is formed on a common substrate. The scanner may include a micro-machined mirror, a laser diode, and a detector, mounted on a single substrate or several connected substrates. Lenses can be used to focus a laser beam from the laser diode as well as expand a laser beam deflected by the micro-machined mirror. The scanner may also scan a barcode without using a micro-machined mirror by rotating the laser diode.

Abstract: An integrated scanner for scanning a barcode omnidirectionally is formed an a common substrate. The scanner may include a mirror assembly or scan module, a laser diode, and a detector, mounted on a single substrate or several connected substrates. Lenses can be used to focus a laser beam from the laser diode as well as expand a laser beam deflected by the micro-machined mirror.

Abstract: A laser beam having a Mathieu-Gaussian intensity profile is provided, which may be used for various optical scanning applications at various scanning distances. The Mathieu-Gaussian beam exhibits a zone of illumination characterized by a central spot and side lobes centered on an axis of elongation of the zone of illumination. The zone of illumination may be used with scanners that either generate a single scan line, or another omni- or multi-directional raster pattern, to scan symbols over large variations of distance.

Abstract: An improved optical system for scanning optical codes is disclosed. A laser beam produced thereby is a diverging, nearly diffraction free beam and may be used to produce an elongated scanning spot. A laser assembly which may be used to produce such beams and spots, combines various optical functions in structures which are relatively insensitive to temperature change.

Abstract: An integrated scanner for scanning a barcode is formed on a common substrate. The scanner may include a micro-machined mirror, a laser diode, and a detector, mounted on a single substrate or several connected substrates. Lenses can be used to focus a laser beam from the laser diode as well as expand a laser beam deflected by the micro-machined mirror. The scanner may also scan a barcode without using a micro-machined mirror by rotating the laser diode.

Abstract: An improved optical system for scanning optical codes is disclosed. A laser beam produced thereby is a diverging, nearly diffraction free beam and may be used to produce an elongated scanning spot. A laser assembly which may be used to produce such beams and spots, combines various optical functions in structures which are relatively insensitive to temperature change.

Abstract: An optical scanning module for use in a bar code reader, including a frame, including a base and a vertical support; a scanning element mounted to the base and including a mirror disposed in the path of an unfocussed laser beam and mounted for oscillatory motion so as to create a scanning laser beam; and a focusing lens, mounted to the vertical support and in the path of the scanning laser beam, for focusing the beam on a target exterior to the module.

Abstract: A beam generator, or beam shaping system, for example for use in an optical scanner, creates a non-Gaussian beam which provides improved indicia-reading characteristics. In one embodiment, diffractive optical elements are used to create a Bessel-Gaussian scanning beam, which comprises a coherent combination of a Gaussian beam and a Bessel beam.

Abstract: A laser beam having a Mathieu-Gaussian intensity profile is provided, which may be used for various optical scanning applications at various scanning distances. The Mathieu-Gaussian beam exhibits a zone of illumination characterized by a central spot and side lobes centered on an axis of elongation of the zone of illumination. The zone of illumination may be used with scanners that either generate a single scan line, or another omni- or multi-directional raster pattern, to scan symbols over large variations of distance.

Abstract: An improved light-readable information recording medium is provided that comprises an optical data storage structure having lands and pits, in which the depth of the pits is about: 1 λ 2 ⁢ n ⁢ m 1 + M T 2 ,

Abstract: A hand-held bar code reader including a housing bounding an interior, a window, a generally planar printed circuit board mounted in the interior, and an optical scanning assembly mounted on the board and including a scanner for directing a light beam through the window at an acute angle relative to the board. A scanning element of the reader is manufactured by spacing a first and second support element apart by a gap bounded by edges of the support elements; injection molding a curable, elastomeric material in flowable form over the edges and into the gap; and allowing the curable, elastomeric material to cure and bond to the edges, and form a flexible hinge in the gap for enabling movement of the support elements relative to one another both away from and toward a stable rest initial position.

Abstract: A compact assembly for electro-optically scanning indicia includes an oscillatable component operative for focusing, and for sweeping, a light beam across the indicia and, optionally, for correcting for scan aberration. A laser diode for emitting the beam is inserted into a central opening surrounded by an electromagnetic coil to conserve space. A magnet on the component interacts with the coil to effect oscillation. A floating flexure returns the component to an equilibrium position.

Abstract: An improved optical system for scanning optical codes is disclosed. A laser beam produced thereby is a diverging, nearly diffraction free beam and may be used to produce an elongated scanning spot. An aperture may be employed such that variation in size of the aperture in one orthogonal dimension varies the size of the scanning spot in another orthogonal dimension.

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: A first module, including a laser for emitting a laser beam and a photodiode for detecting light reflected from a bar code symbol, is independently mounted on a motherboard in a spaced relation to a second module which includes a movable reflector and a drive for moving the reflector. The reflector is advantageously mounted for oscillation on a pair of taut elements constituting an endless band.

Abstract: An integrated scanner for scanning a barcode omnidirectionally is formed an a common substrate. The scanner may include a mirror assembly or scan module, a laser diode, and a detector, mounted on a single substrate or several connected substrates. Lenses can be used to focus a laser beam from the laser diode as well as expand a laser beam deflected by the micro-machined mirror.

Abstract: A hand-held bar code reader including a housing bounding an interior, a window, a generally planar printed circuit board mounted in the interior, and an optical scanning assembly mounted on the board and including a scanner for directing a light beam through the window at an acute angle relative to the board. A scanning element of the reader is manufactured by spacing a first and second support element apart by a gap bounded by edges of the support elements; injection molding a curable, elastomeric material in flowable form over the edges and into the gap; and allowing the curable, elastomeric material to cure and bond to the edges, and form a flexible hinge in the gap for enabling movement of the support elements relative to one another both away from and toward a stable rest initial position.

Abstract: An integrated scanner for scanning a barcode is formed on a common substrate. The scanner may include a micro-machined mirror, a laser diode, and a detector, mounted on a single substrate or several connected substrates. Lenses can be used to focus a laser beam from the laser diode as well as expand a laser beam deflected by the micro-machined mirror. The scanner may also scan a barcode without using a micro-machined mirror by rotating the laser diode.

Abstract: A hand-held optical reader for reading printed indicia on a remote target includes a light source for generating a scanning light beam and a detector for detecting the light reflected from the printed indicia. The light source and detector are housed within a housing having a window through which the light beam passes from the source to the target for reflection from the target to the detector. The housing includes parallel front and rear faces, each being generally rectangular in shape and having a lower portion and upper portion. The front and rear faces are joined by a substantially planar base face at their lower edges. The window is disposed in the front face with the reader being ergonomically configured so as be comfortably held in the hand of a user, with the user's palm adjacent the rear face to enable the user to direct the scanning light beam at a remote target.