Automatic laser scanning system and method of reading bar code symbols using same
US5340973A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K2207/1018
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fully automatic bar code symbol reading system having an hand-supportable laser bar code reading device which can be used in either an automatic hands-on mode of operation, or in an automatic hands-free mode of operation. The system includes a scanner support frame for supporting the hand-supportable device in a user-selected mounting position, and permits complete gripping of its handle portion prior to its use in the hands-on mode of operation. In general, the hand-supportable bar code reading device has long-range and short-range modes of object detection, bar code presence detection and bar code symbol reading. The long-range mode is automatically selected when the hand-supportable bar code reading device is placed within the scanner support stand during the automatic hands-free mode of operation. Whenever the hand-supportable bar code reading device is picked up from the support stand and used in its hands-on mode of operation, the short-range mode is automatically selected to provide CCD-like scanner emulation. The bar code symbol reading system of the present invention can be used in several different mounting arrangements at point-of-sale stations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.