Unitary flexible circuit for pen reader

Claim 2

A circuit connection unit for use in an electro-optical reader for bar codes or the like, the reader having a cavity in which is positioned two elements, one element being a light source element and the other element being a light-detector element in a spaced coaxial relationship with a transparent member for focusing light emitted from the light source element on to a document being positioned at one end of said electrooptical reader, comprising in combination: a plurality of flexible electrically conductive strips; first means located in the vicinity of one end of the connection unit for connecting one of the elements in a predetermined spaced manner to more than one of said plurality of conductive strips, said first means being shaped so as to substantially conform to said cavity of said reader adjacent the transparent member, and having a configuration such that a substantial portion of light which passes through said transparent member also passes through said first means, said first means, when operatively positioned within said cavity, supporting said one element directly adjacent said transparent member; second means spaced away from said first means a specified distance for connecting the other of said elements to more than one of said plurality of conductive strips; and flexible insulating means for maintaining said plurality of electrically conductive strips in a spaced relationship with each other, which circuit connection unit is inserted in the electro-optical reader to provide the spaced coaxial relationship between the light source element, the lightdetector element and the transparent member.

Claim 3

A circuit connection unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said one element is a light source element, and said other element is a light-detector element.

Claim 4

A circuit connection unit in accordance with claim 2, wherein said first means includes at least one conductive connection between one conductive strip and the light source element, and another conductive connection between another conductive strip and the light source element, said one conductive strip partially bordering the light source element in a predetermined spaced manner, said first and second connections being sufficiently thin such that a substantial portion of light impinging in the area partially bordered by said one connecting element passes through said first means.

Claim 5

A circuit in accordance with claim 3, including an amplifier and wherein said plurality of electrically conductive strips are so configured and arranged as to provide conductive connections between the light-detection element and said amplifier, such that the electrical output of the light detection means, proportional to the quantity of light detected by said light detection means, in operation is applied to said amplifier.

Claim 6

A circuit connection unit in accordance with claim 4, wherein said plurality of electrically conductive strips includes connections to said light source element and to said amplifier.

Claim 7

A circuit in accordance with claim 5, wherein said light source element is a light-emitting diode.

Claim 8

A circuit connection unit in accordance with claim 6, wherein said electrically conductive strips and said insulating means are sufficiently nonresilient such thaT they remain substantially in place after being bent to a given angle.

Claim 9

A circuit connection unit in accordance with claim 3, wherein said first means has an outline, and wherein said outline substantially conforms to the boundary of the cavity adjacent the transparent member.

Claim 10

In combination, an electrical-optical reader probe for reading bar codes or the like, the reader probe having an internal cavity in which is positioned first and second elements, one element being a light source element and the other element being a light-detector element in a spaced, coaxial relationship with a transparent member for focusing light emitted by said light source element onto a document, said trasnparent member being positioned at one end of said electro-optical reader; a circuit connection unit positioned within said cavity, said connection unit including a plurality of flexible, electrically conductive strips; first means located in the vicinity of one end of the connection unit for connecting said first element in a predetermined, spaced manner to more than one of said plurality of conductive strips, said first means being shaped so as to substantially conform to said internal cavity of said reader probe adjacent the transparent member, and having a configuration such that a substantial portion of light passing through said transparent member also passes through said first means, said first means, when operatively positioned in said reader probe, functioning to support said one element substantially directly adjacent said transparent member; second means spaced away from said first means a specified distance for connecting said second element to more than one of said plurality of conductive strips; and flexible insulating means to maintain said plurality of electrically conductive strips in a spaced relationship with each other, said circuit connection unit thereby providing the spaced coaxial relationship between the light source element, the light-detector element, and the transparent member.

Claim 11

In combination, an electrical-optical reader probe for reading bar codes or the like, the reader probe having an internal cavity in which is positioned first and second elements, one element being a light source element and the other element being a light-detector element in a spaced, coaxial relationship with a transparent member for focusing light emitted by said light source element onto a document, said trasnparent member being positioned at one end of said electro-optical reader; a circuit connection unit positioned within said cavity, said connection unit including a plurality of flexible, electrically conductive strips; first means located in the vicinity of one end of the connection unit for connecting said first element in a predetermined, spaced manner to more than one of said plurality of conductive strips, said first means being shaped so as to substantially conform to said internal cavity of said reader probe adjacent the transparent member, and having a configuration such that a substantial portion of light passing through said transparent member also passes through said first means, said first means, when operatively positioned in said reader probe, functioning to support said one element substantially directly adjacent said transparent member; second means spaced away from said first means a specified distance for connecting said second element to more than one of said plurality of conductive strips; and flexible insulating means to maintain said plurality of electrically conductive strips in a spaced relationship with each other, said circuit connection unit thereby providing the spaced coaxial relationship between the light source element, the light-detector element, and the transparent member.

Claim 12

A combination of claim 9, wherein said first element is a light source element, and said second element is a light-detector element.

Claim 13

A combination of claim 10, wherein said first means includes at least one conductive connection between said one conductive strip and the light source element, and another conductive connection between another conductive strip and the light source element, said one conductive strip partially bordering the light source element in a predetermined, spaced manner.

Claim 14

A combination of claim 11, wherein said internal cavity of said reader probe includes a peripheral shoulder in the vicinity of said transparent member, said first means having an outline which substantially conforms to the internal reader cavity in the vicinity of said shoulder, and which is adapted to be positioned against said shoulder, said first and second conductive connections, said peripheral shoulder, and said transparent member being configured and arranged such that a substantial portion of light passing through said transparent member also passes through said first means.