Hand-held optical scanner for reading two-dimensional bar code symbols and the like
US6036094A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K7/10722
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A lightweight, easy to grasp and manipulate hand-held optical scanning device for scanning and digitizing image data from a two-dimensional bar code symbol for subsequent decoding in a personal computer platform. The scanning device achieves a small footprint in the user's workspace by utilizing a non-folded, substantially vertical optical path extending from an image viewing area upwardly to a linear charge-coupled device (CCD) array upon which the successive rows of the target two-dimensional bar code symbol are imaged. The scanning device is easily aligned with the symbol by placing it behind the symbol, and scanning of the successive rows of the symbol is accomplished by swiping or rolling the scanning device towards the user. Mechanical rollers on the underside of the scanning device provide translation information for use in clocking data out of the linear CCD array in order to scan the successive rows of the two-dimensional bar code symbol. The operating environment of the computer allows scanning to be initiated by the user without having to use the keyboard or mouse peripheral. As the two-dimensional bar code symbol is being scanned, digitized image data is automatically a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.