Indicia reading terminal including focus element with expanded range of focus distances

US8596543B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC. · US

Inventors

• William H. Havens · Syracuse, US
• Ynjiun P. Wang · Cupertino, US
• Robert J. Hennick · Auburn, US
• Colleen P. Gannon · Jordan, US
• Donald Anderson · Locke, US
• Vivian L. Hunter · Baldwinsville, US
• Edward C. Bremer · Victor, US
• Chen Feng · Mount Laurel, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 20, 2009
• Grant date: Dec 3, 2013
• Expiry date: Nov 2, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06K2207/1013
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise an indicia reading terminal including a focus element that extends the range of focus distances at which the indicia reading terminal can decode decodable indicia. In one embodiment, the focus element comprises a variable form element and a variable position element, the combination of which causes an image distance that can change in accordance with a separation distance between these two elements. The focus element can comprise an actuator, e.g., a piezoelectric actuator, which can be coupled to the variable position element in a manner that can cause the variable position element to deform the variable form element, and in one example, the deformation changes the focal length of the variable form element.