Multidirectional holographic scanner

Claim 1

An apparatus for scanning an article comprising: a source of light beams; a rotating member positioned to receive said light beams; a plurality of hologram members located on said rotating member to intercept said light beams, each of said hologram members having one side constructed to have a different focal point for focusing said light beams at a scanning area through which an article passes which overlaps the focal point of each of the other hologram members and its other side constructed for collecting the light beams reflected from the article and focusing the reflected light beams at a collection area; means mounted adjacent the scanning area for directing the light beams reflected from the article to the hologram member which collimate and direct the reflected light beams to the collection area; and means positioned at the collection area for detecting changes in the intensity of the light beams reflected from the article.

Claim 2

An apparatus for scanning an article comprising: a source of light beams; a rotating member positioned to receive said light beams; a plurality of hologram members located on said rotating member to intercept said light beams, each of said hologram members having one side constructed to have a different focal point for focusing said light beams at a scanning area through which an article passes which overlaps the focal point of each of the other hologram members and its other side constructed for collecting the light beams reflected from the article and focusing the reflected light beams at a collection area; means mounted adjacent the scanning area for directing the light beams reflected from the article to the hologram member which collimate and direct the reflected light beams to the collection area; and means positioned at the collection area for detecting changes in the intensity of the light beams reflected from the article.

Claim 8

An apparatus for scanning a coded label comprising: a laser for projecting narrow beams of light along a first path; a first optical reflecting member positioned in said first path, said reflecting member having an aperture therein through which the beam of light travels along said first path; a second optical reflecting member positioned in said first path for reflecting the beams of light along a second path; a substrate of material mounted for rotation on its center in said second path; means for rotating said substrate; a plurality of two sided hologram members formed as facets around the substrate comprising the total surface area of the substrate to intercept said beams of light, each of said hologram members having one side constructed to focus said beams of light at a different focal point adjacent a scanning area which overlaps the focal point of each of the other hologram members for scanning a bar coded label on an article which passes through said scanning area, said hologram members having the other side constructed to receive light beams reflected from the coded label for collimating the reflected light beams at said first and second optical members which reflect the collimated light beam to a receiving area; a plurality of sets of mirrors positioned between the hologram members and the scanning area for reflecting the light beams received from the hologram members towards said scanning area as a series of intercepting diagonal and substantially horizontal lines relative to the path of the article passing through the scanning area during one revolution of the substrate and for directing the light beams reflected from the coded label to the hologram members; a lens member positioned at the receiving area for focusing the received collimated light beams at a collection point; and photodetector means positioned at said collecting point for detecting changes in the intensity of the light beams reflected from the coded label on the article passing through the scanning area.

Claim 9

An apparatus for scanning a coded label comprising: a laser for projecting narrow beams of light along a first path; a first optical reflecting member positioned in said first path, said reflecting member having an aperture therein through which the beam of light travels along said first path; a second optical reflecting member positioned in said first path for reflecting the beams of light along a second path; a substrate of material mounted for rotation on its center in said second path; means for rotating said substrate; a plurality of two sided hologram members formed as facets around the substrate comprising the total surface area of the substrate to intercept said beams of light, each of said hologram members having one side constructed to focus said beams of light at a different focal point adjacent a scanning area which overlaps the focal point of each of the other hologram members for scanning a bar coded label on an article which passes through said scanning area, said hologram members having the other side constructed to receive light beams reflected from the coded label for collimating the reflected light beams at said first and second optical members which reflect the collimated light beam to a receiving area; a plurality of sets of mirrors positioned between the hologram members and the scanning area for reflecting the light beams received from the hologram members towards said scanning area as a series of intercepting diagonal and substantially horizontal lines relative to the path of the article passing through the scanning area during one revolution of the substrate and for directing the light beams reflected from the coded label to the hologram members; a lens member positioned at the receiving area for focusing the received collimated light beams at a collection point; and photodetector means positioned at said collecting point for detecting changes in the intensity of the light beams reflected from the coded label on the article passing through the scanning area.