Patent · US Expired

Pre-objective scanner with flexible optical support

US5374817A · kind A · utility

26Cited by
47References
39Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 12, 1992
Grant dateDec 20, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 12, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06K2207/1016
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

To reduce the size and weight of an optical scanner, the present invention provides a mirrorless beam scanning unit. A flexible support structure, such as one or more strips of mylar, movably mounts the objective lens in front of the light emitter. The objective lens is laterally reciprocated in response to a motive force, for example as might be applied by a combination of a permanent magnet coupled to the objective lens and a fixedly mounted electromagnet driven by an alternating current signal. Reciprocation of the objective lens during emission of light by the light emitter causes the light to scan a surface, such as a surface bearing a bar code label.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.