Patent · US Expired

Optical scanner with segmented collection mirror

US6382513B1 · kind B1 · utility

7Cited by
68References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 24, 1998
Grant dateMay 7, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 24, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06K7/14
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A multiple working range scanner includes a collection mirror which is segmented, with each segment having differing optical properties, such as focal length, optical axis, and so on. Differing segments or combinations of segments deal with reflected light received at differing working ranges, and direct it to a photodetector. In another embodiment, beam shaping may be applied to an astigmatic laser beam, for example by means of a part-concave mirror, to create an x waist in the beam which is further from the scanner than the y waist. This provides enhanced performance when the scanner is used on a bar code symbol which is not accurately aligned. In order to provide improved optical alignment within a bar code scanner, the collection mirror may be adjustable both in the x direction and in the y direction.

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