Bar code reader with an integrated scanning component module mountable on printed circuit board
US6186400A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K7/1098
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A bar code reader has an integrated scanning component module which is mountable on a printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the module may include the digitizer/decoder electronics, enabling the module to be used with a generic PCB. In some embodiments, the module includes a high speed optical scanning arrangement having an optical element which extends longitudinally of a flexible member, secured at one end. In other embodiments, the invention extends to a hand-held optical scanner having a scanning assembly, detector and data transmission coupling all mounted to a common printed circuit board, preferably located within a manually-graspable handle. In yet a further embodiment, an abuse-detector or accelerometer is provided for determining when the device is exposed to deceleration above a predetermined limit, and optionally for automatically shutting down applications programs and for providing a black-box-record of a short time frame before the device was exposed to an unexpected shock. Preferably, the reader is shock protected by a thermo-plastic elastomer housing section. An outgoing light beam is directed at a non-orthogonal angle relative to the PCB.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.