Patent EP0396485A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0396485A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Bar code scanner with a large depth of field
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-04-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-04-10
Abstract
Abstract An optical bar code scanner uses an improved rotating deflector (18) which deflects a scanning beam along different path lengths within the scanner. The beam is focused at different focal points outside a scanning window (12) of said scanner. The different focal points provide a continuous depth of field with significant range. In one design the rotating deflector is configured as an asymmetrical polygon having a plurality of flat mirrors mounted on a support structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Hunter Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06K7/10871; G06K7/10792; G06K7/10801; G06K7/10811; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
An improved bar code scanner for scanning bar code labels at different distances from the scanner comprising a light source (14) for generating a beam of light, and optical means (16) for intercepting and folding said light beam; said scanner being characterized in that it comprises deflecting means (18) which deflects the light beam from different points and causes said light beam to traverse different path lengths within said scanner and focus at different distances from a window (12) of said scanner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
An improved bar code scanner for scanning bar code labels at different distances from the scanner comprising a light source (14) for generating a beam of light, and optical means (16) for intercepting and folding said light beam; said scanner being characterized in that it comprises deflecting means (18) which deflects the light beam from different points and causes said light beam to traverse different path lengths within said scanner and focus at different distances from a window (12) of said scanner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bar code scanner of claim 1 wherein the light source (14) includes a laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The bar code scanner of claim 1 or 2 wherein said deflecting means (18) includes a motor (19), a support member mounted (55) to said motor, and a plurality of double-mirrored facets (60) mounted to said support member, said mirrored facets being angled relative to one another and having a total count that allows the light beam to be deflected from both sides of each facet as said facets and support member are rotated by said motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The bar code scanner of claim 1, 2 or 3 further including a focusing lens (28) for focusing the light rays, and an electro/optical means (30) for processing the light rays and output electrical signals representative of said bar code.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bar code scanner of claim 4 further comprising computer means (24) for processing said electrical signals and identifying an article to which the bar code is affixed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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