Omnidirectional scanner for reading digitally encoded tickets

Claim 2

In a method for producing a scan pattern on the window of a check-out stand for the reading of bar codes, the steps comprising: A. directing a beam of light toward the window to produce a longitudinally extending scan across the window; and B. simultaneously directing a second beam of light toward the window to produce a plurality of scans on the window which are substantially at a right angle to the longitudinally extending scan.

Claim 3

In a method for producing a scan pattern for the reading of bar coded indicia which are conveyed across the window of a check-out stand, the steps comprising: A. producing a pair of parallel beams of light; B. directing said beams of light upon a multifaceted mirror which is disposed below the window of the check-oUt stand, which multifaceted mirror has an axis of rotation that is located generally parallel with the plane of the window; C. rotating said mllti-faceted mirror about its axis; and, D. scanning one of said light beams along the axis of said mirror such that each facet receives a plurality of scans.

Claim 4

In a method for producing a scan pattern for the reading of bar coded indicia which are conveyed across the window of a check-out stand, the steps comprising: A. producing a pair of parallel beams of light; B. directing said beams of light upon a multifaceted mirror which is disposed below the window of the check-oUt stand, which multifaceted mirror has an axis of rotation that is located generally parallel with the plane of the window; C. rotating said mllti-faceted mirror about its axis; and, D. scanning one of said light beams along the axis of said mirror such that each facet receives a plurality of scans.

Claim 5

In an omnidirectional scan pattern producing apparatus for the reading of digitally encoded indicia, the combination comprising: A. means for generating a pair of light beams; B. means for directing one of said light beams upon a first reflective surface; C. means for directing the other said light beam upon a second reflective surface; D. means for directing said light beams from said reflecting surfaces onto a many faceted reflective member; E. means for rotating said many faceted reflective member; and F. means for rotating said second reflective surface to deflect said other light beam across each facet a plurality of times.

Claim 6

In an omnidirectional scan pattern producing apparatus for the reading of digitally encoded indicia, the combination comprising: A. means for generating a pair of light beams; B. means for directing one of said light beams upon a first reflective surface; C. means for directing the other said light beam upon a second reflective surface; D. means for directing said light beams from said reflecting surfaces onto a many faceted reflective member; E. means for rotating said many faceted reflective member; and F. means for rotating said second reflective surface to deflect said other light beam across each facet a plurality of times.

Claim 7

In an apparatus for producing an omnidirectional scan pattern for the reading of a digitally encoded indicia that are conveyed past the window of a check-out stand, the combination comprising: A. means for generating a pair of light beams; B. a longitudinal first reflective member having a plurality of longitudinally extending reflective surfaces located below the window, the window being in the reflective path of said first reflective member; C. second and third parallel reflective surfaces generally facing said first reflective member, said first reflective member surfaces being located in the reflective path of said second and third reflective surfaces; D. means for directing a first of said light beams upon said second reflective surface; E. means for rotating said second reflective surface about an axis which is parallel to the plane of said second reflective surface and perpendicular to the axis of said first reflective member to produce upon the reflective member a plurality of longitudinally extending scans by said first light beam; F. means for directing the second of said light beams upon said third reflective surface; G. means for rotating said first reflective member to produce a longitudinal scan by said first light beam as it is reflected to the window and to produce a plurality of scans by said second beam as it is reflected to the window which scans are at right angles to said longitudinal scan; and H. photocell means for receiving light reflected from an indicia on the window.

Claim 8

In an apparatus for producing an omnidirectional scan pattern for the reading of a digitally encoded indicia that are conveyed past the window of a check-out stand, the combination comprising: A. means for generating a pair of light beams; B. a longitudinal first reflective member having a plurality of longitudinally extending reflective surfaces located below the window, the window being in the reflective path of said first reflective member; C. second and third parallel reflective surfaces generally facing said first reflective member, said first reflective member surfaces being located in the reflective path of said second and third reflective surfaces; D. means for directing a first of said light beams upon said second reflective surface; E. means for rotating said second reflective surface about an axis which is parallel to the plane of said second reflective surface and perpendicular to the axis of said first reflective member to produce upon the reflective member a plurality of longitudinally extending scans by said first light beam; F. means for directing the second of said light beams upon said third reflective surface; G. means for rotating said first reflective member to produce a longitudinal scan by said first light beam as it is reflected to the window and to produce a plurality of scans by said second beam as it is reflected to the window which scans are at right angles to said longitudinal scan; and H. photocell means for receiving light reflected from an indicia on the window.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for generating a pair of light beams comprises a laser and a beam splitter spaced relative to said laser, said beam splitter being operative to transmit the beams to said directing means.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said directing means includes means for increasing the resolution and intensity of said light beams.

Claim 11

In an apparatus for producing an omnidirectional scan pattern for the reading of a bar coded indicia that are conveyed past the window of a check-out stand, the combination comprising: A. means for generating a pair of light beams; B. a longitudinal first reflective surface generally facing the window; C. means for directing a first of said light beams upon said first reflective surface; D. means for oscillating said first reflective surface about its longitudinal axis to produce at the window an elongated extending scan by said first light beam; E. a second reflective surface spaced adjacent to said first reflective surface, said first reflective surface being located in the reflective path of said second reflective surface; F. means for directing the second of said light beams upon said second reflective surface; and G. means for oscillating said second reflective surface to impart longitudinal motion to said second light beam as it is directed toward said first reflective surface.

Claim 12

In an apparatus for producing an omnidirectional scan pattern for the reading of a bar coded indicia that are conveyed past the window of a check-out stand, the combination comprising: A. means for generating a pair of light beams; B. a longitudinal first reflective surface generally facing the window; C. means for directing a first of said light beams upon said first reflective surface; D. means for oscillating said first reflective surface about its longitudinal axis to produce at the window an elongated extending scan by said first light beam; E. a second reflective surface spaced adjacent to said first reflective surface, said first reflective surface being located in the reflective path of said second reflective surface; F. means for directing the second of said light beams upon said second reflective surface; and G. means for oscillating said second reflective surface to impart longitudinal motion to said second light beam as it is directed toward said first reflective surface.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 7 including a mask having an aperture therein disposed intermediate said first reflective surface and the window.